UK urges Maldives to safeguard press freedom after media law

The United Kingdom has urged the Maldivian government not to interfere with freedom of the press following the ratification of the media regulation bill by President Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday.

The bill was passed in extraordinary parliamentary sittings on Tuesday despite repeated calls from journalists, media experts and international organisations for it to be withdrawn. Two days later, the President signed the bill into law.

In a statement on X, the UK High Commission in the Maldives said: “At @samoachogm2024, the leaders of the Commonwealth – including the United Kingdom and Maldives – reaffirmed the vital role of free, independent, and responsible media in democracy. We urge all partners to honour and uphold the commitments we made together.”

The United States has also called on the Maldives to uphold freedom of expression.

The new law establishes a government-backed commission to regulate the media, replacing the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission. Journalists and press associations argue that the move will place media under government influence.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has announced a boycott of the commission’s election and is working to establish its own self-regulatory system. The association has also decided to pursue legal action to annul the law, stating that it contravenes the Constitution and international best practice.