A bill has been introduced in Parliament to create a government-controlled media commission that can fine news outlets, TV channels and individual journalists.
The bill was proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan Abubakuru. The current laws on the Broadcasting Commission and Media Council will be repealed once the bill is passed and ratified. This means the two independent bodies will be replaced by a government-controlled media commission.
According to the bill, a fine of between MVR 5,000 and MVR 50,000 will be imposed on news outlets for repeated violations of the Journalism Rules to be created by the government-controlled media commission. Individual journalists can face fines between MVR 5000 and MVR 10,000.
The proposed maximum fine on broadcasters is 10 percent of the past year's income. That is MVR 100,000 if the station reported an income of MVR 1 million.
The bill also allows the new commission to investigate pending cases in the Media Council and Broadcasting Commission after dissolving the two bodies.
The new commission will consist of seven members, four of whom will be appointed by the President with the consent of Parliament. Three members will be elected by the media. However, media outlets that have been operating for at least five years are eligible to vote.
The President and Vice President of the commission will be appointed by the President.
The bill also proposes to stop the publication of newspapers and block new websites until a case is resolved.
During the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, an anti-defamation law was passed and used to fine news outlets.
The law mainly targeted Raajje TV which was critical of the policies at the time. The TV station was fined MVR 3.7 million. VTV and Sangu TV were also fined.
The anti-defamation act was repealed during the former government of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
