Nasheed urges against ratifying Media Bill, citing it will make the country less prosperous

Former president Mohamed Nasheed has urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu against ratifying the contentious Media Bill, citing that the country becomes less prosperous whenever the government undermines the people’s right to freedom of expression.

The contentious Media Bill, which would grant the government significant control over the media, was submitted to the Parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government and a medium-scale businessman with no background in media. 

The Parliament, in which ruling PNC holds supermajority, accepted the bill on Wednesday and forwarded it to the committee for review. The Independent Institutions Committee has scheduled to commence work on the bill on Thursday.

Nasheed, who played an integral role in Maldives’ journey to democracy, via a post on X, urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu against ratifying the bill as a writer and a former prisoner of conscience.

“Whenever a government suppresses people’s right to freedom of expression, it inevitably makes the country less free and less prosperous,” he added.

Nasheed, who entered politics through journalism, had been jailed for days during former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s administration for his reform efforts.

The former president had stepped away from politics after the current administration was elected. Although he had expressed support the current administration’s policies initially, he rejoined MDP, the biggest opposition party, back in June.

Important clauses in Hannan’s bill

Establishing a Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission comprising of seven members

• Three members would be appointed by the president
• The remaining four members would be appointed by media
• The Commission’s president will be appointed by the president
• Fines ranging between MVR 5,000 and MVR 25,000 for failure to make amendments as instructed by the Commission
• MVR 100,000 fine for violations of law
• Commission empowered to temporarily revoke the registration of a media outlet upon commencing an investigation against the media outlet
• Commission empowered to block the website and TV broadcast of media outlets whose licenses have been revoked before the conclusion of the court process
• Commission empowered to investigate cases that had surfaced a year before its inception

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated he has no intention of controlling the media, adding a recommendation will be made to remove undue powers granted to the president under the new bill.