Parliament Committee Shuts Journalists Out of Media Bill Review

The parliament committee on independent institutions barred journalists from reviewing the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill, citing privacy of citizen feedback. Chair Hussain Riza Adam reported 10-12 comments per article. The bill, tabled by MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, would dissolve existing media bodies and create a new commission with presidential appointments and powers to suspend registrations and impose fines. Critics including opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail and local/international press groups denounce the bill as a threat to press freedom, while government officials say it strengthens accountability.

The parliament committee on independent institutions barred journalists from reviewing the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill, citing privacy of citizen feedback. Chair Hussain Riza Adam reported 10-12 comments per article. The bill, tabled by MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, would dissolve existing media bodies and create a new commission with presidential appointments and powers to suspend registrations and impose fines. Critics including opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail and local/international press groups denounce the bill as a threat to press freedom, while government officials say it strengthens accountability.

The parliament committee on independent institutions barred journalists from reviewing the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill, citing privacy of citizen feedback. Chair Hussain Riza Adam reported 10-12 comments per article. The bill, tabled by MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, would dissolve existing media bodies and create a new commission with presidential appointments and powers to suspend registrations and impose fines. Critics including opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail and local/international press groups denounce the bill as a threat to press freedom, while government officials say it strengthens accountability.

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