Parliament schedules extraordinary sitting to debate Media Bill

An extraordinary parliamentary sitting has been scheduled for Wednesday to deliberate on a contentious Media Bill, proposed by Independent MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr of the Thulhaadhoo constituency.

Critics argue the bill grants the government significant control over media operations.

The agenda for Wednesday's session prioritizes the debate on the Media Bill, alongside the appointment of members to the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and four members to the board of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

This special sitting follows the conclusion of the Parliament's second session, with the Deputy Speaker announcing two extraordinary sessions to finalize important legislative matters.

While these extraordinary sittings were initially stated to address various crucial issues, Wednesday's focus is squarely on the Media Bill.

MP Hannan had previously introduced a similar bill aimed at media regulation, which was ultimately rejected. However, the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), holding a supermajority in parliament, has now publicly backed the current iteration of the bill.

Government spokesperson Heena Waleed previously asserted that the bill would safeguard media freedom and empower journalists. Nevertheless, President on Monday evening informed PNC members that he did not wish to see the bill passed in a manner that would grant him undue control over the media.

If enacted, Hannan's Media Bill imposes hefty fines on individual journalists, ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 25,000, while media outlets could face penalties of MVR 100,000. Furthermore, the proposed legislation would empower a commission to revoke media outlet registrations and suspend newspaper operations even before a full investigation of alleged infringements.

In response to these potential ramifications, both the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) have urged the withdrawal of the bill.

Despite being introduced by an independent MP with a history of proposing similar legislation, opposition parties and media organizations contend that the government is the true architect behind the bill.

Experienced journalists, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, voiced strong concerns, labeling the bill "ill-intentioned" and warning it threatens to regress freedom of the press and expression in the Maldives by two decades.

The ongoing debate underscores deep divisions regarding the future of media regulation and freedom in the Maldives.