Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) Managing Director Abdul Matheen Mohamed has said the content and narratives shared by the media are closely tied to political parties.

His remarks come as journalists protest against the Media Regulatory Bill recently introduced in Parliament with government backing.

In a social media post, Matheen said the owners of major media outlets are often leaders of political parties. As a result, many individuals running the media later become presidential candidates, MPs, ministers, or senior government officials, while others working in the sector are directly employed by politicians.

“The freedom of the media is based on this fact. There is no doubt that the taste, color, and tone of what the media conveys is shaped by these realities,” he wrote, adding that the credibility of the media should not be questioned solely on this basis.

Matheen further stressed that those in the media must act responsibly, avoid spreading falsehoods, and respect the reputation of others as they would their own families. He added that while individuals may reject oversight from commissions, they must remember they remain accountable to God.