The parliamentary committee on independent institutions have kicked out journalists from a meeting to review the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill.
The committee claimed that a closed-door meeting was necessary as personal information of individuals may be publicised while discussing submitted opinions.
Committee Chairperson Maafushi MP Hussain Riza Adam said there were about 10-12 opinions for each provision of the bill.
The government-backed bill proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru has 85 provisions. The committee wants to complete its review by September 15.
Journalists who were forced to leave the committee meeting staged a protest outside the parliament building.
They called to open the meeting and requested a meeting with the Sergeant at Arms of the People's Majlis.
Local and international organisations and the journalist community have demanded that the media control bill be withdrawn from the government-controlled parliament.
A social media campaign is ongoing against the bill, and a petition with signatures from 151 journalists and 41 news outlets was submitted to the President's Office and the People's Majlis.
On August 28, Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham said there was no reason to withdraw the bill.
The new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission will be established if the bill is approved by the government-controlled People's Majlis. The commission will be made up of seven members, three of whom will be appointed by the President.
The bill does not explain why a commission to regulate the media needs members appointed by the President. It further states that the Chairperson of the commission will also be appointed by the President.
The bill gives the new commission substantial powers. These include fines of up to MVR 100,000 for media outlets and temporary cancellation of registration before a case is investigated. The commission can also go to court to revoke a registration.
The commission will also be empowered to issue orders to block a news website or stop a broadcast while it investigates a case.
