Some sources from the People's Majlis have confirmed that the parliament Secretary General Fathimath Niusha accused journalists of "trying to create a scene" in accidentally released audio.
The parliament's committee on independent institutions held a meeting with journalists on Monday to discuss the government-backed bill to dismantle free media in the Maldives.
In an audio livestreamed from the parliament's YouTube channel, a female voice can be heard accusing journalists of trying to create a scene.
Some sources confirmed to Adhadhu that it was Niusha's voice. When questioned, Niusha did not deny it. She had seen the messages sent by Adhadhu journalists, but did not comment.
The audio indicates that the speaker was making the accusation against the journalists who staged a silent protest in the parliament gallery during the debate on the bill.
"Now, media (unclear), our media was told to record, but that we will not livestream. Because we need to have evidence in case something like that happens," the voice stated.
"So that's why, we are preparing for the worst scenario today. They want to create a scene. Even inside the gallery the other day."
The livestream has now been deleted from the parliament's YouTube channels.
Despite the accusation, journalists who stayed in the parliament gallery did not cause any disruptions and only staged a silent protest. The parliament Secretariat also confirmed that no disruptions were caused and that no action had to be taken.
