Ibrahim Khaleel, Minister at the President's Office for Strategic Communication, has stated that the Maldivian government has listened to journalists in amending the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, and there can be no dispute about this.

The Independent Institutions Committee of the People's Majlis today passed the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill with numerous amendments. The committee passed the bill while journalists present at the committee meeting were protesting, saying their concerns were still not addressed.

Speaking at the "Journalists' Forum" held at Meeruma last night to provide information about the Media Bill, Khaleel said that since the bill was submitted, journalists have been expressing their concerns and feelings, and submitting amendments through social media.

"I would say that the Maldivian government,, today's government, has listened to journalists. With the sentiments expressed by journalists, with those ideas and consultations, the Attorney General submitted amendments to the bill, and it was passed with those amendments. So the government has listened to journalists. This cannot be disputed," Khaleel said.

Khaleel said that when the Maldives Media Council (MMC) law came into effect, the biggest concern at that time was that as soon as something was written, it was first taken to the police. However, after the MMC law came, instead of directly taking it to the police, the matter is entrusted to the MMC for investigation, Khaleel said.

"Just like with this bill's law, it won't be taken to the police. Media issues will be examined through this newly formed commission, there will be different stages. Just as the MMC law ensures that a Maldivian journalist won't be immediately taken to the police, I'm certain that the articles in this new law will also maintain this," Khaleel said.

Khaleel further stated that it is a fact that must be accepted today that the Maldivian government has listened to Maldivian journalists.