CPJ condemns eviction of journalists from parliamentary committee

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the forced removal of reporters from the Independent Institutions Committee of Parliament, which is currently reviewing the proposed media regulation bill.

Journalists attending Wednesday’s meeting, held at 10 a.m., questioned under which article of Parliament’s rules of procedure the session had been declared secret. Parliamentary security personnel were then called in to remove them from the premises.

In a statement, the CPJ criticised the use of force against journalists and urged President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to withdraw the legislation. “We call on President Muizzu to uphold his promise to support freedom of the press and withdraw the bill,” the organisation said.

The government-majority committee is reviewing the bill in closed sessions, with members citing the inclusion of personal information in public submissions as the reason for secrecy.

Concerns have been raised by all stakeholders consulted so far. Last week, the committee met with the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom), while journalists from 22 registered media outlets presented their views.

The bill was introduced by MP Abdul Hannan Abubakar, with the support of Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim. It is the second time Hannan has brought forward such legislation, following an earlier version passed amid criticism.

Protests against the bill have been staged outside Muliaage and the President’s Office. President Muizzu met with senior journalists last week, but Attorney General Ahmed Usham later confirmed that the government would not withdraw the bill despite calls from media representatives.