President says doesn't seek media control via new bill

President Mohamed Muizzu said on Monday that he does not wish for the government to control the media through the media regulation bill currently before Parliament.

Speaking at a rally in HDh. Nolhivaranfaru, the President addressed concerns raised by journalists over the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, which, if passed, would abolish the existing Media Council and Broadcasting Commission and replace them with the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

Under the proposed law, the commission would consist of seven members: three appointed by the President with parliamentary approval, and four elected by the media. The Chairman would be appointed by Parliament based on a presidential proposal.

The President said he has no interest in controlling the media and has already informed PNC members that he does not want influence over the commission.

“According to the bill, the chairman of the commission will be a member appointed by me. But I will not do that. I have now said that the Chairman will be elected by voting among the seven members of the commission,” he said.

The President added that the media should remain free, transparent and responsible, and reiterated that he did not intend to influence or regulate it directly.

The bill, introduced by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakar, has faced criticism from local journalists’ associations and international organisations.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has described the proposal as a restriction on press freedom. In a statement, the association reiterated its position in favour of a self-regulatory framework for the media, independent of government influence, and called for the bill to be withdrawn.