By Ibrahim Inaan/Maldives Republic
Male, September 16 – The Maldivian Parliament on Tuesday passed the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill, a piece of legislation critics say hands sweeping powers to President Mohamed Muizzu and poses a grave threat to press freedom.
The bill was passed with 60 members voting in favour and one against, with no abstentions, during a heated extraordinary sitting in which opposition lawmakers protested inside the chamber, while journalists and members of the public demonstrated outside the Parliament compound in Malé.
Police forcibly dispersed protesters, with several journalists reporting they were assaulted and at least two detained, according to local media.
Under the legislation, the Maldives Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission will be dissolved and replaced with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. Of its seven members, three — including the chair — will be appointed by the president, while the other four will be selected by media outlets.
The commission will have the authority to suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and impose fines as high as MVR 100,000 (USD 6,400).
Local and international media associations, rights groups, and opposition parties have strongly criticised the bill, warning it undermines free expression and allows the executive to exert unprecedented control over independent media.
The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) described it as a “grave threat” that could criminalise journalism. President Muizzu and his ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) MPs defend the bill as necessary to strengthen accountability and combat misinformation.
US Protests
The United States on Tuesday urged the Maldives to protect freedom of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices, after Parliament passed a controversial media law.
In a post on X, the US Embassy in the Maldives said: “The United States supports freedom of expression, including for journalists, as a fundamental freedom. We urge the Maldives and all countries to uphold the freedoms of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices.”
The statement follows the passage of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill, which critics say gives the president sweeping control over the country’s media. The legislation was approved with 60 votes in favour and one against, amid protests from opposition lawmakers inside Parliament. Outside the parliament compound, journalists and members of the public staged demonstrations that were forcibly dispersed by police, with several journalists reporting assaults and at least two detentions, according to local media.
The law dissolves the existing Maldives Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission, replacing them with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. Of its seven members, three—including the chair—will be appointed by the president, while the remaining four will be selected by media outlets. The commission will have powers to suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and impose fines of up to MVR 100,000 (USD 6,400).
Rights groups, local and international media associations, and opposition parties have strongly criticised the bill, saying it threatens press freedom and gives the executive unprecedented authority over independent media. The Maldives Journalists Association described it as a “grave threat” that could criminalise journalism.
President Mohamed Muizzu and ruling People’s National Congress MPs defended the legislation, saying it is aimed at increasing accountability and combating misinformation
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