Muizzu Ratifies Media Law Amid Outcry Over Threats to Press Freedom

President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act (No. 16/2025) on Thursday, bringing into force a law critics say could severely curtail press freedom. The law replaces the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. The new commission can suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and fine outlets up to MVR 100,000 (USD 6,500). Journalists, international rights groups, and opposition parties have opposed the legislation. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) urged Muizzu to reject it. Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail called for protests. Government officials defend the law as necessary to boost accountability and combat misinformation.

President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act (No. 16/2025) on Thursday, bringing into force a law critics say could severely curtail press freedom. The law replaces the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. The new commission can suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and fine outlets up to MVR 100,000 (USD 6,500). Journalists, international rights groups, and opposition parties have opposed the legislation. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) urged Muizzu to reject it. Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail called for protests. Government officials defend the law as necessary to boost accountability and combat misinformation.

President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act (No. 16/2025) on Thursday, bringing into force a law critics say could severely curtail press freedom. The law replaces the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. The new commission can suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and fine outlets up to MVR 100,000 (USD 6,500). Journalists, international rights groups, and opposition parties have opposed the legislation. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) urged Muizzu to reject it. Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail called for protests. Government officials defend the law as necessary to boost accountability and combat misinformation.

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