The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Maldives Journalists Association urged President Mohamed Muizzu to reject the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill after parliament passed it with 60 votes in favour. The bill would dissolve the existing Maldives Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission and create a new seven-member commission with broad powers including fines of up to MVR 100,000.
One outlet so far Only Maldives Republic has reported this among the sources we monitor. A gap in what we monitor, not proof that others did not report it.
Parliament on Tuesday passed what the MJA called a “draconian media control bill”, with 60 MPs from the ruling PNC voting in favour and one against, despite opposition protests inside the chamber and demonstrations outside.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
CPJ is deeply concerned that the Maldives Parliament has passed a bill that would undermine the work of independent journalists and place the media under government control
We urge President @MMuizzu to reject the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill and uphold his pledge to protect media freedom.
Journalists stand together in defiance of this takeover of the media by the executive branch.
call to reject the bill and calls on President Muizzu to immediately reject this unconstitutional bill.
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Parliament on Tuesday passed what the MJA called a “draconian media control bill”, with 60 MPs from the ruling PNC voting in favour and one against, despite opposition protests inside the chamber and demonstrations outside.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
The commission would also be granted broad powers to suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and impose fines of up to MVR 100,000.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
Earlier reports gave MVR 100,000 (USD 6,400) 16 Sep, 20:35 Maldives RepublicMVR 100,000 (USD 6,400) 16 Sep, 19:07 Maldives Republic
Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers staged a protest during the sitting, accusing the parliament of violating standing orders to fast-track the legislation.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
Journalists and members of the public gathered outside parliament in protest as the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) party used its supermajority to push the bill through, a move MJA said was aimed at silencing the press and punishing dissent on social media.
Word for word from the report in Maldives Republic. Open the report
