Police have arrested three journalists who gathered outside the President’s Office to protest against the government’s attempt to dismantle press freedom in the Maldives.
Those arrested include Moosa Rasheed of Citizen, Ahmed Aaidh of Adhadhu, and Lamya of MV Plus, all of whom were taken into custody while peacefully protesting against the bill. The arrests sparked outrage across the media community, with colleagues and press freedom advocates calling it a blatant assault on democracy and an alarming sign of growing authoritarianism.
Earlier in the day, journalists staged their first protest outside the People’s Majlis. They later marched to the President’s Office after Speaker Abdulla Abdul Raheem announced that debate on the bill, which had been paused during the morning session, resumed in the afternoon. The government-controlled parliament subsequently accepted the Media Control Bill for consideration, passing it with the support of 49 MPs from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
The Media Control Bill has been widely condemned by journalists, opposition parties, and international press freedom watchdogs. If enacted, it would hand the government sweeping powers to fine journalists, shut down media outlets, halt publications, and block websites deemed critical of the regime. Critics argue it is nothing more than a tool to silence dissent and erase accountability.
“Today’s arrests prove what we’ve been warning all along: this bill is about control, not regulation,” one protester said before police dispersed the crowd. “If they can arrest journalists for standing in defense of democracy, no one’s rights are safe.”
