Minister Asward: Many points of contention in the Media Bill

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed (Asward) states there are many points of contention in the proposed Media Bill which would grant the government significant control over the media.

The controversial Media Bill, was submitted to the Parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government and a medium-scale businessman with no background in media. 

The Parliament, in which ruling PNC holds supermajority, accepted the bill on Wednesday and forwarded it to the committee for review. The Independent Institutions Committee has scheduled to commence work on the bill on Thursday.

Journalists are protesting against the bill in front of the President’s Office area on Thursday as well. Minister Asward and Minister at the President's Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Kahleel met with the protesting journalists.

While speaking with the journalists in front of the President’s Office, Minister Aswar said there are many points of contention in the Media Bill, adding a recommendation will be made to the Parliament to resolve these issues.

“I want to revise any wrong which is the bill,” he added, responding to concerns raised by journalists.

Although Minister Asward mentioned points of contention in the bill, he did not go into the specifics despite repeated questions from journalists.

The journalists had asked the Minister whether defending his cabinet position is far more important than advocating for the rights of the media.

In response, Minister Asward said he had commented on the bill today while holding the position, adding it does not define him. He described himself as an individual who loves journalism much more than journalists.

When questioned regarding ruling PNC’s parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah’s remarks calling for journalists to be executed by impalement, Minister Asward condemned the remarks.

The Independent Institutions Committee has commenced work on the Media Bill amidst calls from journalists and opposition to reject the bill. However, the government has endorsed Hannan’s bill.

Important clauses in Hannan’s bill

• Establishing a Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission comprising of seven members
• Three members would be appointed by the president
• The remaining four members would be appointed by media
• The Commission’s president will be appointed by the president
• Fines ranging between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000 for failure to make amendments as instructed by the Commission
• MVR 100,000 fine for violations of law
• Commission empowered to temporarily revoke the registration of a media outlet upon commencing an investigation against the media outlet
• Commission empowered to block the website and TV broadcast of media outlets whose licenses have been revoked before the conclusion of the court process
• Commission empowered to investigate cases that had surfaced a year before its inception

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated he has no intention of controlling the media, adding a recommendation will be made to remove undue powers granted to the president under the new bill.