MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed has criticized the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, warning that allowing the police to stop media under the pretext of national security is inappropriate.
The remarks came during parliamentary debates on the bill, moved by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru. Shamheed called for the legislation to be withdrawn.
The bill proposes merging the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission into a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. It introduces fines for individual journalists ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 25,000 and up to MVR 100,000 for media outlets. The legislation also allows the temporary revocation of newspaper registration and gives the commission authority to block websites or stop TV broadcasts during investigations.
Shamheed argued that the bill’s provisions could be misused as a tool for media censorship, leaving the definition of national security open to government interpretation. The Maldives Media Council (MMC) has urged lawmakers to reject the bill, while the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) launched a petition calling for its withdrawal.
Meanwhile, protests by journalists have highlighted concerns that the bill could give the government excessive control over media operations, potentially undermining press freedom and transparency in the country.
The remarks came during parliamentary debates on the bill, moved by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru. Shamheed called for the legislation to be withdrawn.
The bill proposes merging the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission into a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. It introduces fines for individual journalists ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 25,000 and up to MVR 100,000 for media outlets. The legislation also allows the temporary revocation of newspaper registration and gives the commission authority to block websites or stop TV broadcasts during investigations.
Shamheed argued that the bill’s provisions could be misused as a tool for media censorship, leaving the definition of national security open to government interpretation. The Maldives Media Council (MMC) has urged lawmakers to reject the bill, while the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) launched a petition calling for its withdrawal.
Meanwhile, protests by journalists have highlighted concerns that the bill could give the government excessive control over media operations, potentially undermining press freedom and transparency in the country.
