MDP urges gov to withdraw new bill, says it allows for unchecked influence over press

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the government to withdraw a new media bill submitted to the Parliament, warning that the legislature allows for unchecked government influence over the press.

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill is designed to create a new media commission by merging the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council. It also introduces fines of up to MVR 10,000 for individual reporters for violation of ethics.

The government bill is sponsored by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdulla Hannan, who got elected as an independent.

The new bill will create a seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. Four of the members, including the president and vice president of the commission, will be appointed by the president with parliamentary approval. The remaining three members will be elected by broadcasters and medias.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the MDP said the legislature closes the door for media self-regulation, and offers the government to exert unchecked influence over the media.

The party said the bill is designed to “put a shroud for to bury press freedom in the Maldives.”

“The provisions in this bill allowing for fines medias and journalists is designed to obstruct the freedom of expression and freedom of press guaranteed by the Constitution, and to obstruct the work of journalists and media as the fourth pillar of democracy,” said the MDP.

MDP stressed that press play a crucial role in government oversight and accountability. The party said it will not support any legislature that curtails press freedom.

The party called on the government to withdraw the bill.

The statement comes after MDP’s president, Abdulla Shahid, took to the social media platform X to express deep concern over the bill, warning that it undermines hard-won freedom of expression and press freedom.

“The submission of a bill by the government to the Parliament to suppress and lock down the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press that was won through sweat and blood is deeply alarming,” he said.

Shahid alleged that the motivation behind the bill is to cover up “the incompetence and acts of corruption” of government leaders.

“We keep seeing more and more characteristics of autocracy with each passing day,” he added.

The new bill sets down guidelines for broadcasters and medias, including safeguarding national security, promoting principles of upholding the legitimate government, and protecting the dignity and private affairs of individuals.

The new commission will be charged with formulating the code of ethics for medias and journalists, the violation of which can be punishable with fines, suspension of license and demands for public apologies.

Repeated violation of the code of ethics will be punishable with fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000 for medias, and fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 10,000 for individual journalists.