New bill seeks to form media commission with govt control
The proposed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission will be composed of seven members.
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A bill has been introduced in parliament to establish the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission with government control.
The bill, put forward by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdullah Hannan, seeks to abolish the existing Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC), consolidating their functions under a new body.
The first reading of this bill is scheduled for Wednesday.
The proposed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission will be composed of seven members, with the structure as follows:
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Four members appointed by the president, subject to parliamentary approval.
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Three members elected by the media.
This configuration effectively grants the government a majority within the commission. Additionally, the president will have the authority to appoint the president and vice-president of the commission from among its members, with the consent of parliament.
The bill stipulates that members of the commission will serve five-year terms and can be reappointed for no more than two consecutive terms or a maximum of two non-consecutive five-year terms.
The rationale for introducing this bill includes:
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Promotion and development of press freedom in the Maldives, ensuring that journalists exercise their constitutional rights responsibly.
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Establishment of a regulatory framework for media organisations and journalists.
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Simplification and modernisation of standards for registering newspapers and magazines, aligning with current needs and promoting press freedom.
The bill outlines a series of measures that can be taken against media organisations, including broadcasting services and print media, if they violate the code of conduct set by the commission. These measures include:
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Issuance of notices of correction and warnings.
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Publication of statements for public correction or withdrawal of content as directed by the commission.
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Mandating certain corrective actions or prohibiting specific actions to prevent future violations.
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Halting the broadcast of content or the publication of material deemed a threat to Islam, national security, public order, or public health through relevant state authorities.
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For repeated violations, the commission can seek a court order to revoke broadcasting licenses or the registration of newspapers/magazines.
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Financial penalties for broadcasters, amounting to up to 10% of their previous year’s revenue for repeated infractions.
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Fines for newspapers ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000 for repeated violations of laws, regulations, and the code of conduct.
The bill also specifies sanctions for individual journalists who breach the code of conduct, such as:
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Imposing fines between MVR 5,000 and MVR 10,000 if corrective actions are not taken within the notified period.
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Directing journalists on how to address and rectify any violations.
The formation of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission aims to strengthen media regulation and promote responsible journalism. However, with four out of seven members appointed by the president, there is concern about the potential for government influence over media regulation. The bill’s provision granting the president the power to appoint the leadership of the commission has also raised questions about the independence of the regulatory body.
