Article 18 of Parliament Privileges Act should not obstruct freedom of media, rules Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has ruled that Article 18 of the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act should be interpreted such that freedom of the media, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is not compromised.

This ruling follows a case filed by the Attorney General’s Office, requesting to annul several articles of the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act.

Article 18 (a) of the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act states that persons who are summoned to the parliament or a parliament committee shall answer questions truthfully and to the best of his knowledge.

Article 18 (b) and (c) of the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act state that it is a criminal offence to violate Article 18 (a) or refuse to provide documents requested by the parliament.

The Supreme Court said today that this article must be interpreted such that it does not obstruct any freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.

Anyone accused of a criminal offence for violating this article shall be accorded the same rights as stated in the Constitution for other criminal suspects, said the Supreme Court.

Earlier, concerns were also raised by Maldives Journalist Association (MJA), saying that Article 18 of the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act obstructs freedom of the media, as guaranteed by the Constitution.