Attorney General Ahmed Usham, on Thursday, said there is no need to withdraw the controversial Media Bill, which critics say gives the government sweeping control over the media.
The bill was submitted to Parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government and a medium-scale businessman with no media experience. On Wednesday, Parliament, where the ruling PNC holds a supermajority, accepted the bill and sent it to the Independent Institutions Committee for review. The committee began work on Thursday and set a September 15 deadline for completion.
Journalists have strongly protested the bill, warning it poses a serious threat to press freedom. Speaking at a press conference, Usham said the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) reviewed the bill and found no reason to withdraw it.
“When we researched the content of the bill and reviewed related works undertaken by the Attorney General’s Office and recommendations from various parties, I believe we can proceed by further researching the bill and making amendments as necessary,” Usham said. “In my opinion, there is no need to withdraw the bill.”
Usham added that a draft bill sent by the AGO to the Maldives Media Council in 2022 is not much different from the current version. He highlighted that the draft included a provision allowing the president to appoint two members of the media regulatory body—a feature retained in the new bill.
The bill would give the proposed media commission powers to:
- Fine journalists MVR 5,000–25,000 for failing to follow instructions.
- Fine media outlets up to MVR 100,000 for legal violations.
- Temporarily suspend media registrations during investigations.
- Permanently revoke registrations through the courts.
- Block websites during ongoing probes.
- Order the cessation of broadcasting.
Despite opposition from journalist associations, including the Maldives Media Council, the Maldives Journalists Association, and the International Journalists Association, the government insists the bill is intended to empower the press and protect press freedom.
