The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has strongly called for the outright rejection of the proposed Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, which includes provisions for cancelling newspaper registrations and punishing individual journalists.

The MJA warned that the bill, similar to a previous draft introduced by MP for Thulhaadhoo constituency Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, poses a direct threat to the very existence of independent journalism and media freedom in the Maldives.

According to the association, the bill is designed to concentrate sweeping regulatory powers over the media into the hands of the president, effectively placing the press under total government control and fostering an environment of fear among journalists.

The MJA also criticized the bill’s use of vague and potentially exploitable language in sections that criminalize journalistic work, while allowing for the closure of newspapers and the imposition of hefty fines and severe punishments on media professionals. The association described the bill as “the complete death of free journalism” in the country.

The statement read that having a regulatory body chaired by a presidential appointee and staffed primarily with members selected by the president is “unacceptable in any way.” The association also rejected the provision allowing parliament to dismiss media-elected commission members through a no-confidence vote, calling it “unreasonable” and a threat to media independence.

The statement further questioned the bill’s legitimacy, highlighting the absence of meaningful consultation with media outlets and journalists during its drafting process. The MJA pointed to the prominent involvement of Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim in shaping the bill, while noting that submitting it under the name of an independent lawmaker raises suspicions of a hidden agenda.

While affirming its long-standing support for media reform based on lessons learned from past experiences, the association emphasized that any new system must be a robust, independent self-regulatory mechanism, one where journalists, free from government interference, establish their own principles and regulations. The MJA reminded that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had previously promised to establish such a system.

For these reasons, the MJA declared its firm opposition to the government-controlled media bill. Representing the voice of all journalists, the association has called on MP Hannan to withdraw the bill and urged the main-ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and the parliamentary majority to reject it outright in the People’s Majlis.