Parliament accepts amendment regarding disclosure of sources of information

Parliament has accepted the amendment to the Parliament Privileges and Powers Act, to amend the clauses thaat require journalists to disclose their sources of information.

Proposed by MDP Deputy Parliamentary Leader, Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed, the amendment states that every person has the freedom to use media, which includes the freedom to publish, spread and express opinions, news and information, and no person shall thus be forced to reveal information published, spread or expressed in this manner.

The Parliament Privileges and Powers Act, which is presently in effect, states that any person who refuses to answer questions after being summoned to the parliament or tries to hide documents, would be deemed to have disobeyed the orders of the parliament, and the penalty for this crime is a fine of between MVR 1,000 and MVR 3,000, or imprisonment for a period between three to six months.

The amendment bill was accepted to the parliament today with a majority of 47 votes and 3 absences.

The bill has now been forwarded to the parliament’s National Security Committee for review.