Media bill passage: US calls to uphold freedom of expression

The United States Embassy in Male’ has urged the Maldives to uphold freedom of expression following the passage of the controversial media bill by ruling PNC using its majority in the Parliament.

On August 18, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government, submitted a bill that seeks to dissolve the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the BroadCom, replacing them with a single regulatory body — a seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC).

The bill, widely panned both local and international journalism groups, is openly backed by the PNC administration.

The US Embassy, via a post on X, said the United States supports freedom of expression including for journalists as a fundamental freedom.

The United States supports freedom of expression, including for journalists, as a fundamental freedom. We urge the Maldives and all countries to uphold the freedoms of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices.

— U.S. Embassy Male' (@USinMaldives) September 16, 2025

The Embassy called on Maldives and other countries to uphold freedom of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices.

The Parliament went into recess on August 19, but has been holding extraordinary sittings and committee meetings to work on the controversial bill.

Despite the widespread concerns over the legislature’s implications on press freedom and freedom of expression, the Independent Institutions Committee passed the bill with multiple government-drafted amendments on Monday late afternoon, as journalists and opposition lawmakers broke out in protest.

Meanwhile, a petition signed by 151 journalists from 41 different media outlets demanding the withdrawal of the bill was rejected by the Petitions Committee on Tuesday afternoon, after the committee voted 7-5 that the concerns raised in the petition had been properly addressed.

The bill passed the floor vote during an extraordinary sitting of the Parliament held on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, four amendments proposed by Fonadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh, a lawmaker from PNC, passed by unanimous consensus.

The bill, along with the amendments made during the committee stage and the four amendments proposed by Mamdhooh, passed with a majority vote of 60-1. The sole dissenting vote came from Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas, a member of the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), who had sponsored MJA’s petition against the bill.

Journalists had begun gathering outside the Parliament Building since 08:30 am, in a final stand against the passage of the bill. They were later joined by members from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), as well as other members of the general public. There was also a parallel demonstration by pro-government protesters outside the Parliament Building.

There were several incidents of confrontations, as riot police pushed back protestors, some of whom were violently dragged away, resulting in injuries. Two protestors, including MMC member Leevan Ali Naseer, were briefly arrested.

Journalists continue to express concern over the sweeping legislature, urging President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu against ratifying the bill.

Both local and international organizations advocating for freedom of the press, including Maldives Media Council, Maldives Broadcasting Commission and Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, have also raised concerns over the bill. 

Maldives remained in the category of the most difficult countries to practice journalism, according to the latest World Press Freedom Index (WPFI). Maldives, which ranked 106th in the WPFI last year with a score of 52.63, climbed two ranks this year, coming in 104th with a score of 52.46. However, the archipelago remains in the category of the most difficult countries to practice journalism.