The Broadcasting Commission of Maldives (Broadcom) has urged Parliament to study the Media Bill at the national level before moving forward.
Speaking to the Committee on Independent Institutions, Broadcom President Safa Shafeeq said the bill should be drafted only after thorough consultation and research. She noted that the current draft does not appear to have involved relevant stakeholders during its preparation.
Safa also raised concerns over the bill’s wide scope, which includes the regulation of online media, newspapers, broadcasters, and social media. She questioned whether a self-regulatory or co-regulatory system would be more appropriate and recommended a national study to guide the bill’s drafting.
Broadcom pointed out that many measures proposed in the bill are already covered under the existing Broadcom Act, though they are difficult to implement under current conditions.
The comments come amid calls from international organizations and leading media figures for the withdrawal of the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill.
Speaking to the Committee on Independent Institutions, Broadcom President Safa Shafeeq said the bill should be drafted only after thorough consultation and research. She noted that the current draft does not appear to have involved relevant stakeholders during its preparation.
Safa also raised concerns over the bill’s wide scope, which includes the regulation of online media, newspapers, broadcasters, and social media. She questioned whether a self-regulatory or co-regulatory system would be more appropriate and recommended a national study to guide the bill’s drafting.
Broadcom pointed out that many measures proposed in the bill are already covered under the existing Broadcom Act, though they are difficult to implement under current conditions.
The comments come amid calls from international organizations and leading media figures for the withdrawal of the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill.
