Solih calls for withdrawal of media regulation bill

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called on Parliament to withdraw the bill to regulate the media and journalists.

The bill was submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakar in his private capacity. The first reading and preliminary debate began on Tuesday.

During the session, some journalists staged a silent protest in the Parliament gallery against the bill. A number of members from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) spoke in favour of stricter regulation, while also suggesting that concerns raised could be addressed at the committee stage.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla announced that the remainder of the debate would continue in the next parliamentary session, scheduled to begin in October.

In a post on X, Solih expressed concern that the bill would bring the media under government control and undermine press freedom.

“This bill, which would abolish the media and take severe action against individual journalists, will destroy free press altogether,” he wrote. “I call for the withdrawal of this bill, which is responsible for monitoring and holding the three branches of government accountable.”

Under the proposed law, the existing Maldives Media Council and Broadcasting Commission would be dissolved, and their functions transferred to a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

The new body would comprise seven members: three appointed by the President with parliamentary approval, including the chairperson, and four elected by media outlets. Eligibility criteria would also change, with the minimum age for appointment raised to 30 years. Editors and working journalists would not be eligible for membership. Elections for commission members would be overseen by the Election Commission, while a five-member ad hoc committee under the Civil Service Commission would manage the transition until appointments are made.

The commission would have authority to: