A public forum by the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) to raise awareness on the government-backed bill to dismantle free media was successfully held in Male' on Saturday night.
The forum titled Khiyaalaayi Fikuru Kafunah was held at the Artificial Beach and members of the public expressed their views on the draconian bill formulated to control the media.
All of the participants rejected the bill and expressed concern over the government's intention.
"Many channels like Kurusee will be created. Muizzu will have go back to his size. This is someone we, the people, pay. How can we silence the voice of the people? This will not happen. Freedom of expression cannot be dismantled," one person said.
Saif Fathih, who represents Galolhu North constituency in the Male' City Council, said "this is not the first time a Maldivian leader has gone crazy."
"This is not the first time a Maldivian leader is trying to tape our mouths, suppress us, arrest us, cancel news registrations and raid places," said the former journalist.
The President, MPs and ministers should be the first to be punished for spreading fake news, he said.
The crowd gathered at the Artificial Beach said they would not stop expressing their views even if the bill was passed.
"All academic institutions in the country should be closed down. These attempts to restrict the use of our minds should be stopped," a woman said.
Some participants expressed concern over a provision in the bill to regulate the internet and social media.
"We knew from the beginning that this is a bill to control social media. A bill created to control social media by blaming lies. There are three powers, are the three powers separate? The three powers are mixed. The only thing left is the people's voice," a young man said.
“The right thing to do is to improve the existing system and regulate it,” said one content creator.
Journalists are protesting and conducting a massive campaign on social media to pressure the government to withdraw the bill. A petition has also been submitted to the People's Majlis and the President's Office.
The parliamentary committee on independent institutions is currently reviewing the bill with a deadline to conclude work by September 15.
The government wants to the use the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) supermajority in the People's Majlis to approve the bill. Cabinet ministers, PNC MPs and political appointees have been defending the bill on social media.
