Bill submitted to dissolve MMC and BroadCom, form Media Commission

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has submitted a bill to the People’s Majlis, proposing to dissolve Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom), and form a Media Commission in place.

The bill was submitted to the People’s Majlis this Sunday by PPM amid debate over the overlap of responsibilities of MMC and BroadCom, and the need for a more effective mechanism to monitor the media.

The Attorney General’s Office has discussed the bill with some of the relevant institutions before submitting it to the People’s Majlis.

The draft of the bill, prior to its submission to People’s Majlis read that the Media Commission will have five commissioners, appointed to the position by People’s Majlis and the local media.

The changes brought to the bill when it was submitted to the People’s Majlis this Sunday is unclear at this point.

Ungoofaaru MP Jaufar Dawood, who submitted the bill on behalf of PPM did not provide any details regarding the bill. He said the details would be explained during the reading of the bill.

Jaufar is the same parliamentarian who submitted the Bill on Defamation and Freedom of Speech to the People’s Majlis, a law which has undermined the ability of the public and media to exercise freedom of speech.

The bill on formation of a media commission has been tabled for coming Tuesday, October 24.