Int’l organizations urge Pres. Muizzu to reconsider media control bill in joint letter

A coalition of 16 international organizations has sent a joint letter to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, raising serious concerns over the proposed Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill currently before the People’s Majlis. The letter warns that the bill poses a significant threat to press freedom in the Maldives and calls for its immediate withdrawal.

The controversial legislation, introduced by MP for Thulhaadhoo constituency Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, would grant sweeping powers to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, including the authority to shut down media outlets, block access to news websites, and suspend broadcasts. The bill also proposes harsh financial penalties, ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 25,000 for individual journalists, and up to MVR 100,000 for media organizations.

In the letter, the signatories expressed alarm over the lack of consultation with journalists and media stakeholders during the drafting of the bill. They emphasized that any legislation impacting press freedom must be developed transparently and with broad input from the media sector.

The organizations also noted that the bill directly contradicts key provisions of the Maldivian Constitution, specifically Article 27, which protects freedom of expression, and Article 28, which guarantees freedom of the press.

Among the signatories are prominent press freedom and human rights groups, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA).

The letter represents growing international scrutiny of the Muizzu administration's approach to media regulation, with rights groups warning that the bill could roll back hard-won democratic freedoms and undermine independent journalism in the Maldives.