MJA files case to challenge media law

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) on Monday filed a constitutional case in the High Court seeking to overturn the new Media and Broadcasting Act passed by Parliament and ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu last year.

The Act, approved in September, abolished the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council. Under the new law, media regulation is now overseen by a commission appointed by Parliament.

The association held a press conference on Monday after the commission ordered the suspension of the “political cartoon” segment of the Adhadhu newspaper following the publication of a cartoon critical of President Muizzu.

Lawyer Ali Hussain, who represents the MJA, said the case was filed on the grounds that the Act grants the commission powers that restrict freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution.

He said the High Court has been asked to issue an interim order to prevent any action being taken against media organisations or journalists under the Act until the court reaches a decision.

Ali Hussain said the filing of the case had been delayed but was now necessary because enforcement action had begun against the media.

At the press conference, MJA president Ahmed Naif said the association’s concern from the outset was that a commission controlled by the government would seek to regulate media outlets that criticise the administration or attempt to hold it accountable.

He said the order to suspend the Adhadhu segment demonstrated this risk.

Naif said the association decided to proceed with the case because it believed the commission would continue to take action against media outlets under the Media Control Act.

“So the MJA executive decided that we should not remain silent on this. We will continue to oppose this law, and today we filed a case in the High Court to seek its annulment,” he said.

Naif said the commission was acting without following the procedures required under the law.

He said the Act requires the formulation of rules to handle such cases and requires that media organisations be given a reasonable opportunity to respond.

“So far, no procedure has been established and no adequate opportunity has been provided to answer,” he said.