The Maldives Media Council (MMC), at its meeting held today (28-MMC/C8-2025), deliberated on the “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill” submitted to Parliament on 17th August by Hon. MP Abdul Hannan Abubakar. During today’s council sitting, Council members unanimously expressed grave concern over the bill and firmly opposed this bill.
Council members emphasized that the proposed legislation limit the constitutional right to freedom of the press and related fundamental rights, while enabling a political party holding parliamentary majority to control over the country’s media landscape. The bill contains provisions that would undermine press freedom, erode principles of journalism, and severely restrict freedom of expression.
While the bill is framed as an effort to merge the MMC with the Broadcasting Commission, it goes far beyond institutional restructuring. It doesn’t distinct rights of broadcasters and re-broadcasters with those of journalists, overshadowing and diminishing the rights of print and online media.
The Council further noted that the proposed bill introduces changes to the journalism sector without consulting journalists, media professionals, or other key stakeholders. Regardless of the bill’s introduction by a private member’s initiative, the Council stressed that such far reaching legislative changes demand broad based consultation and consensus among media professionals.
Following these deliberations, the Council attended by 14 members adopted several key resolutions:
• To call on Parliament to reject the “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill”, Council will not propose any comments to this bill in its current form.
• Establishing a working group within the Council in order to engage with relevant stakeholders. Members appointed to the working group include HawwaWajudha, Fathimath Nahudha Faiz, Najah Masood, Mohammed Muzayyin Nazim, Leevan Ali Nasir, and Fathimath Shana Mohammed.
• To formally request meeting with President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu to convey the Council’s concerns.
• Issue public statements, in both Dhivehi and English, affirming that the Council will not be submitting further comments or revisions to the proposed bill.
• To prepare and disseminate social media content highlighting the importance of self-regulation and important role journalism play in a democratic society.
• Requesting Political Party PGs that they reject the “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill.”
The Maldives Media Council reaffirms its commitment in fostering responsible journalistic environment while safeguarding press freedom as per the constitution.
