Nihan agrees to change the bill as to not affect journalism

Parliament Majority Leader, MP for the Vilimalé constituency, Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has said that he would make amendments to his bill on defamation as to not hinder the freedom of press.

Speaking to the press outside the Parliament Building after meeting with the Maldives Media Council (MMC), MP Nihan said that any obstruction to the fourth power of democracy, freedom of press and information, is a serious issue.

He said that it is his understanding that there are concerns about his bill among journalists and intends to work with the Media Council in the committee phase to address the concerns.

And so Nihan has assured that the bill can be amended as to avoid any obstructions to journalism.

He said that if it comes to it, he will retract the bill but also highlighted the importance of such a bill.

The Majority Leader's bill on defamation says that a fine of no more than MVR 5 million and passed along with a prison sentence of no more than a year for defamation, expressions against the Islamic faith and threatening national security.