A journalist arrested during protests against the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulatory Bill (Media Bill) has been released.

Journalists have been demonstrating outside Parliament since this morning, calling for the bill to be rejected. Among those detained was Livaan Ali Nasir, a journalist at Adhadhu News and a member of the Maldives Media Council (MMC). He was released last night, while another journalist and a member of the public remain in police custody.

Police dispersed the protest in front of Parliament, chasing journalists towards the entrance of Majeediyya School. Despite this, journalists have continued their demonstrations.

The Independent Institutions Committee on Wednesday re-passed the Media Bill with recommendations from the Parliament’s Counsel General. The bill was previously passed earlier this week and remains under parliamentary review.