Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Fayyaz Ismail has strongly condemned the new bill to establish a Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, calling it an attempt to dismantle press freedom.

The bill, reintroduced in parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, proposes the creation of a three-member commission appointed by the President. The body would have the authority to temporarily suspend media outlets under investigation.

In a post on X, Fayyaz described the bill as a conspiracy by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration to control the media. He warned that the legislation strips journalists of protection, hands direct regulatory power to the president, and paves the way for censorship.

“Free media is the backbone of a democracy. The proposed legislation removes necessary protections from journalists and gives the president unchecked authority to block, ban, and fine independent media. We cannot go back to the days where speaking the truth was cause enough for persecution,” Fayyaz said.

He urged the government to withdraw the bill, recalling that President Muizzu had previously opposed similar measures.