President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that he has never attempted to control the media and has no interest in doing so.

Speaking during a meeting with residents of Nolhivaranfaru island of Haa Dhaal atoll as part of his tour of the atoll, President Muizzu said, that controlling the media is not something he has “ever done” nor is it something he “will ever do”.

The president made the remarks amid discussions surrounding a newly proposed media bill submitted to the People’s Majlis by an independent lawmaker. While the bill aims to establish a commission to regulate the media, concerns have been raised about potential threats to press freedom.

President Muizzu confirmed he had been informed of the bill’s submission and expressed conditional support for it, stating that if such a commission is formed, its chairperson should be elected by the commission members themselves, not appointed by the president. He added that he has instructed members of the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) to act in alignment with this principle.

The president said that the media should function independently and that he has no intention of overseeing or regulating it, himself.

Though the bill does not specify reasons for presidential appointments to the proposed commission, it currently states that the chairperson would be appointed by the president, a point that has raised concerns among media advocates.