Former Attorney General Dr. Ahmed Ali Sawad has said that everyone should be political in a republican democracy with freedom to express different opinions and ideologies.
A forum titled Khiyaalaayi Fikuru Kafunah was held by the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) at the Artificial Beach on Saturday night and members of the public expressed their views on the draconian bill.
Sawad addressed the public at the forum and explained how the bill can bury ideas and thoughts. He highlighted that Articles 60, 61 and 80 of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill target the public.
"In the definition of journalism, it includes electronic media. And the Internet. So the tools we use in our daily lives, we cannot live without the Internet now. We cannot live without criticizing political matters. That is our responsibility because we are members of this republic," Sawad stated.
He said the bill would give the newly formed commission the power to interpret an opinion and the commission would then have the power to fine members of the public for violating rules.
"We all have to be political. We have to think about different ideas and predictions in the political sphere. We have to think about different theories. We have to express our opinions in different ways," Sawad added.
He warned that those who express opinions displeasing to the government will fall into a "national security category" or a "hate category" when the bill becomes law. He also expressed concern, as the bill states that journalists should be impartial.
"Every one of us is under some influence. What is influence? Influence is thought. Everyone is influenced. They speak based on their influence. It is based on their thoughts. Journalists also express their thoughts," Sawad said.
He said such expression should not be banned under the "political influence category."
"What is happening here, think! Control is being exercised. What benefits from this? The ruler and his majority parliament."
Sawad spoke against fake news to defame others and said this is not a criminal offence in mature democracies.
"I don't believe it is the most appropriate legal measure for a seven-member commission to decide on what journalists and members of the public say on the internet when this can be made a civil offence," he said.
Sawad described fake news and misinformation as a "plague" and detailed its adverse impact on healthy democracies with an example from the United States when President Donald Trump's supporters attacked the US Capitol.
"To keep this republican democracy healthy, we need to respond to this challenge [misinformation]. What is the response? It is transparency. The solution to this is facts," he said.
