Former President Mohamed Nasheed has urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu not to ratify the proposed Media Bill, warning that restrictions on freedom of expression would undermine both liberty and prosperity in the Maldives.
In a message shared on social media, Nasheed said that every time a government suppresses people’s right to free expression, the country becomes less free and less prosperous. He also called for the immediate release of journalists who were arrested while protesting against the bill this week.
The Media Bill, which has been accepted by Parliament and forwarded to the Independent Institutions Committee for review, proposes the creation of a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. If passed, it would dissolve the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council.
The bill allows for fines of between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000 on individual journalists, while media outlets could face fines of up to MVR 100,000. It also grants the commission powers to suspend media registrations, block news websites, or halt TV broadcasts during investigations.
The Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) have both strongly opposed the legislation, with journalists staging protests outside Parliament and the President’s Office.
In a message shared on social media, Nasheed said that every time a government suppresses people’s right to free expression, the country becomes less free and less prosperous. He also called for the immediate release of journalists who were arrested while protesting against the bill this week.
As a writer and former prisoner of conscience my plea to President Dr. Muiz is not to ratify the Media Bill. Whenever a government suppresses people’s right to freedom of expression it inevitably makes the country less free and less prosperous. I also call on the journalists…
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) August 28, 2025
The Media Bill, which has been accepted by Parliament and forwarded to the Independent Institutions Committee for review, proposes the creation of a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. If passed, it would dissolve the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council.
The bill allows for fines of between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000 on individual journalists, while media outlets could face fines of up to MVR 100,000. It also grants the commission powers to suspend media registrations, block news websites, or halt TV broadcasts during investigations.
The Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) have both strongly opposed the legislation, with journalists staging protests outside Parliament and the President’s Office.
