Ibrahim Khaleel, Minister of Strategic Communication at the President's Office, stated today that although the Media Regulation Bill submitted to the Parliament includes provisions for three members appointed by the President to be in the Media Commission, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu wants the bill amended so that no members appointed by him are in the Commission.

Since the bill was submitted to the Parliament last week, journalists have been expressing concerns and calling for its withdrawal. Yesterday, journalists gathered in front of the Parliament building to express their concerns and protests. Later, they also protested in the areas near the President's Office and Muliaage.

Many journalists have been working today at the 'media fendaa' in front of the President's Office. While journalists were there, Khaleel and Asward met with them.

Meeting with journalists, Khaleel said that neither the government nor President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu support controlling the media. He believes the bill will be passed after listening to the media and in a way that the media wants.

"The President has stated that he doesn't want to appoint a president or a member to have his control there. The President doesn't want to have any role in appointing members either," Khaleel said.

Khaleel said that if the bill is passed contrary to what journalists want, "journalists won't stay like this." He said journalists need to clarify the benefits to the media if the bill is rejected.

"Why don't you give a big list to the Maldivian government or parliament, like one, two, three, four, saying these are what we want," Khaleel said.

However, Khaleel said it's not a good approach for journalists to simply say "remove it, reject it" instead of doing that.

The "Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulatory Bill" was submitted in a personal capacity by Abdul Hannan Abubakur, MP for Thulhaadhoo constituency. The bill proposes changes to the composition of the Media Commission. According to the bill, the Commission will consist of three members appointed by the President and four members elected by the media. The members appointed by the President need parliamentary approval.

The media members of the Commission will be elected through an election conducted by the Elections Commission as per regulations made under this law.

The method of appointing the Commission's president and vice president has also been changed. According to the bill, the President will only appoint the Commission's president. The vice president will be elected through a secret ballot among the Commission members.

This bill is currently at the committee stage.