The Independent Institutions Committee of the Parliament has decided to meet with media and relevant institutions next week to seek opinions on the "Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulatory Bill" submitted to the Parliament, which includes provisions to fine media outlets up to MVR 100,000.

In yesterday's extraordinary sitting, 49 members of those present voted in favor of accepting the bill for consideration. Eleven members from the MDP and Mohamed Abbas, the MDA member for Velidhoo constituency, voted against accepting the bill.

After accepting the bill, it was sent to the Independent Institutions Committee for further review.

In today's committee meeting, it was decided to meet with a selection of registered newspapers and relevant institutions to discuss the bill and address concerns.

The committee plans to meet with some newspapers, the Broadcasting Commission, the Media Council, and the Human Rights Commission.

Additionally, as many young people are active in social media and newspapers, the committee has decided to meet with the Youth Ministry to discuss concerns young people may have about the bill.

Committee Chair Hussein Riza, MP for Maafushi constituency, stated that these meetings will be held on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of next week.

The Chair also mentioned that newspapers would be given the opportunity to submit written opinions on concerns in the bill.

The committee has decided to complete work on the bill by September 15 and to open the bill for public comment from today until September 6.

The Media Bill was submitted to the Parliament by Thulhaadhoo constituency member Abdul Hannan Abubakur in his personal capacity.

The bill was accepted by the Parliament yesterday despite calls from the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), Maldives Media Council, and international organizations to withdraw it. Journalists have been campaigning against the bill and protested in front of the Parliament building yesterday.

The Media Bill includes provisions for significant measures against media outlets and individual journalists.

These include fines for journalists and media outlets violating the code of conduct set by the Media Commission, with the possibility of revoking registrations. Individual journalists can be fined between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000, while media outlets can be fined up to MVR 100,000.

Powers granted to the Media Commission by this bill include:

  • Fining journalists between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000 for violating the code of conduct.
  • Fining media outlets up to MVR 100,000 for violating the law.
  • Temporarily revoking registration even before an investigation is completed.
  • Revoking a newspaper's registration through court.
  • Blocking a newspaper's website while investigating a case.