14 stakeholders, including media stations summoned to committee

The 11-member committee set up to evaluate bill on defamation and freedom of expression has made the decision to summon 14 stakeholders – including major media stations in the country for their input.

The decision was made during the committee meeting held at People’s Majlis on Tuesday afternoon.

This is the first time in the current Majlis session for a committee to summon so many stakeholders for their input during evaluation of a bill.

Stakeholders summoned include:

• Maldives Media Council

• Human Rights Commission of Maldives

• Attorney General

• Prosecutor General

• Police

• Maldives National Defense Force

• Major registered media station

• Islamic University of Maldives

• Maldives National University

• An association of lawyers

• Broadcasting Commission

• Fiqh Academy

• Film Association

In addition to this, the committee has also opened separate clauses of the bill for public input, setting the deadline at noon, August 15.

Committee made the decision after it was suggested by North Machangolhi MP Mariya Ahmed Didi.

The committee also made the decision to complete evaluating the bill by August 25.

MP Jaufar Dhawood – who proposed the bill – said that he had no intention of rushing through with the bill.

“We don’t want to design and pass a bill amongst ourselves. We want the input of as many stakeholders as possible, and amend and design the bill to fit the current situation,” said Jaufar.

The bill, currently prescribes fines between MVR 50,000 to MVR 2,0000,000 for defamation. And the decision can be appealed in courts only after the reporter has paid the fine.

The case will be reported to police and prosecuted, if the reporter fails to pay the fine.

It prescribes prison sentences from 3 – 6 months if the reporter fails to pay the fine within the period of time given by court after the case is sent for prosecution.

The 11-member committee to evaluate the bill includes six PPM lawmakers, two lawmakers from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and one lawmaker from Maldives Development Alliance.