Media bill: Amendments proposed by AG's Office

The Attorney General's Office on Wednesday released its proposed amendments to the contentious media bill, notably excluding punitive measures against individual journalists.

Instead, the amendments propose that a commission will establish the conditions for media editors.

The media bill, initially introduced by government-affiliated Independent MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, has drawn significant criticism from journalists and media organizations, who argue it grants excessive control over journalists.

The Independent Institutions Committee of Parliament is currently scrutinizing the bill. On Wednesday, journalists who sought clarification from the committee regarding its decision to conduct meetings behind closed doors were forcibly removed from the meeting hall.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international NGO dedicated to press freedom and journalists' rights, condemned the removal of journalists from the parliamentary committee. The CPJ urged a halt to what it termed an "undemocratic process" and called for the upholding of the fundamental rights of journalists and the public to access, share, and debate information freely.

#Maldives: CPJ is concerned by reports that journalists were forcibly removed from a parliamentary committee reviewing the proposed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, legislation that poses a serious threat to press freedom and democracy.

CPJ once again urges the… https://t.co/JObN5i0HLe

— CPJ Asia (@CPJAsia) September 10, 2025

Later on Wednesday, the Independent Institutions Committee issued a statement explaining the forced removal of journalists. The committee asserted that the three journalists forcibly entered a meeting that they had been informed was closed, and that only committee members and secretariat personnel were permitted to be present.

Muzayyin Nazim, a journalist with Dhauru News who was physically removed from the committee meeting, told Sun that committee members repeatedly failed to clarify the reason for the bill's daily secrecy. He alleged that the journalists were forced out to avoid addressing this question.

Subsequently, while journalists continued their protest in front of the President's Office, Attorney General Ahmed Usham met with them and pledged to make the amendments proposed by the AG's Office public.

The Attorney General's Office has indeed published 13 proposed amendments to the bill. Key among these is the decision to remove the provision targeting individual journalists, instead requiring editors of media outlets to meet specific requirements set by the commission.

Further proposed amendments include:

• More detailed definitions of "public order," "national security," and "electronic media" within the bill.

• A provision stipulating that a specific allocation from the annual budget shall be provided to the Commission, based on the Commission's advice, to cover its expenses.

• If the Commission opts to investigate a complaint or case, the investigation shall be conducted by an Interim Adjudication Committee established by the Commission, and the rules governing this committee must be incorporated into the bill.

• The addition of standards to the obligation to disclose truthful information as outlined in Article 44 of the bill.

• The deletion of Article 42, "Standard for Disclosure of Information on Matters of Conflict," and its replacement with "Standard for Disclosure of Information on Matters of Public Interest."

• The inclusion of the disclosure of truthful information, along with the fair and transparent presentation of news and information, within the Code of Conduct for the Media in Article 39 of the bill.

• The stipulation that Article 41, "Standards for Disclosure of Personal Information," must uphold an individual's personal freedom, and that the release of such information should be conducted respectfully.

The Attorney General has also resolved to propose amendments to three points of the bill, specifically to exclude the President's role in the appointment and dismissal of Commission members and the appointment of the Commission's Chairman.

Maldivian journalists, international journalists' associations, and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) have widely voiced concerns regarding the bill, asserting that it contains provisions antithetical to democratic principles and regulations. Despite the government's insistence on its non-direct involvement, ruling party (PNC) Members of Parliament have publicly defended the bill in parliament.

While government members and officials maintain that the bill, which empowers the president to control the media, is essential for curbing the spread of misinformation, advocates for journalism and independent media contend that its true objective is to prevent news agencies from reporting on alleged thefts and corruption involving politicians.

In response to criticisms, President Muizzu stated that his administration is "pro-media" and assured that the bill would be amended.