Media control bill threatening press freedom, withdrawn
The withdrawal of the bill was announced on Tuesday
Journalists at a press conference
The Media Control Bill has been withdrawn.
This comes at a timewhenPresident Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had assured that the bill submitted to the People’s Majlisthat obstructs freedom of the media and freedom of expression will be rejected and that he does not seek to control the media.
The government submitted the bill to the People’s Majlisthat threatens extreme restrictions onmedia freedom. The bill was submitted on November 13 by MPforThulhaadhoo constituency Abdulla Hannan Aboobakuru. If the billhadbecome law, the Broadcasting Commission of Maldives (Broadcom) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC) would have been dissolved. While the purpose of the new law was said tobeto establish efficient and strong standards for registering news outlets, and to create a separate institution to implement media affairs including the broadcasting sector, underthesaid law, if a news outlet repeatedly violates the code of conduct for journalism established by the commission, it can be fined between MVR 5,000 and MVR 50,000. In addition to this, individual journalists can be slapped with fines between MVR 5,000andMVR 10,000 as well.
The withdrawal of the bill was announced on Tuesday.
This comes at a timewhenseveral lawmakers have expressed great concern about the bill, on multiple platforms.
At a timewhenseveral journalists had expressed concern about the bill, Muizzu addressed the issue at the ceremony to celebrate one year in office. He said there were no policies in the media bill that he accepts, and that he is not seeking to control the media. Muizzu added that he will give more freedom to the media thanit has now,and that he is working to empower the press.
Muizzu’s claims came at a timewhenthe government has been subject to severe criticism, especially since it has been a long time since the president sat down for talks with journalists. This has resulted in many members of the public pointing out that the government is only disclosing certain informationthatthey want.
Further, the total number of political positions in the incumbent administration remains undisclosed. Despite repeated inquiries, the figure has not been disclosed so far. While Muizzu had his opposition to the media bill, some members of the People's Majlis alleged that the bill was submitted under a proposal from the government.
