Majlis passes Defamation Bill with authority to shut down media

People’s Majlis, on Tuesday, passed the bill on defamation and freedom of expression, which will empower authorities to shut down local media stations.

The bill was passed with the vote of 47 lawmakers, with 31 lawmakers voting against it.

The committee set up to evaluate the bill passed it and sent it to the Majlis floor for the vote on Monday night.

Committee amended the controversial bill, adding stricter penalties for defamation – which includes suspension and revoking licenses of media stations that are proven guilty of the of the offenses stated in the bill.

Committee also amended the bill to expedite the time period in which it will take effect so that the bill takes effect immediately after it is ratified by the president. The previous arrangement was that the bill will take effect after a period of three months.

The fine amount for anyone who expresses an opinion which could “threaten the safety and security of the country” has been amended from MVR 50,000 – MVR 2 million to MVR 25,000 – MVR 2 million.

The bill states that if a person of interest wishes to respond to any news article published or broadcasted regarding him or her, media stations have to publish or broadcast his or her response without any fee.

Officials from Media Council, registered media stations, Broadcasting Commission, and Fiqh Academy were summoned and consulted during committee stage, but Kelaa MP Ali Arif had submitted a new draft of the bill with amendments afterwards.

According to the new draft, the reporter who writes a defamatory article will be sent to prison for maximum 6 months if he or she fails to pay the fine.

No amendment was made to the clause which disallows the reporter from appealing his or her sentence until the fine amount is paid – something which media stations had expressed immense concern over.

A new amendment was added to the bill, which states that an individual has the right to request authorities to cut the live feed broadcasted by media stations if any comment which could tarnish his or her reputation is broadcasted during a live event.

It states that additional penalties will be taken up against media stations that refuse to cut their live feed despite orders by relevant authorities.

Any media station which publishes or broadcasts a defamatory comment or any news which could threaten the safety and security of the country will be fined MVR 50,000 – MVR 2 million. And the reporter who publishes or broadcasts the news will be personally fined MVR 50,000 – MVR 150,000.

Any media station and reporter who acts in violation of the principles of Islam will be prosecuted in accordance with the Penal Code.