Meekail challenges Defense Minister’s justification of controversial media bill
Taking a pointed jab at Ghassan, Meekail remarked: “Please do better, Honorable Minister!”
Top officials from PPM-PNC lead an 'India Out' protest in Malé City. (File photo)
MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem has issued a sharp rebuttal to Minister of Defense Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, who publicly defended the government’s handling of the widely criticized media control bill.
The bill, which was rushed through the People’s Majlis on Tuesday just before sunset using the government’s supermajority, has drawn widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally. Critics argue that the legislation threatens press freedom and was pushed through with minimal transparency or accountability.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’ on Wednesday, Minister Ghassan, who was once a close ally of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom before aligning with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, claimed the bill followed all legal procedures, was reviewed at the committee level, and included input from media stakeholders.
However, Meekail, a member of the Independent Institutions Committee that reviewed the bill, swiftly called out what he described as serious procedural flaws.
The lawmaker questioned how it could be considered good practice to provide the agenda just one minute before the start of a parliamentary sitting.
He also criticized the refusal to share the Counsel General’s legal opinion in writing, describing it as an inappropriate and opaque move that undermines parliamentary transparency.
Highlighting the rushed nature of the process, MP Meekail noted that lawmakers were given only 27 minutes to propose amendments to a bill spanning over 50 pages, a timeframe he argued was unacceptable in any functioning democracy.
Taking a pointed jab at Ghassan, a former leader of the nationalist ‘India Out’ campaign who now defends the government’s media clampdown, Meekail remarked: “Please do better, Honorable Minister!”
The public reaction has largely sided with Meekail. Ghassan’s post has been met with a flood of critical comments, with many users expressing disbelief at what they view as blatant whitewashing of a deeply flawed legislative process.
As concerns mount over the bill’s potential to restrict journalistic freedom, Meekail’s pointed questions have intensified pressure on the government to explain what critics say is an authoritarian shift in media policy.
