The government today exploited its super majority in the parliament to push through a draconian legislation aimed at restricting freedom of expression and speech in the Maldives.
The People's Majlis, which acts as a rubber stamp for President Mohamed Muizzu's government, approved the bill despite concerns by the local journalist community and international organisations.
Journalists have been protesting near the parliament building since this morning. Police used excessive force to push back the peaceful protestors, detaining Adhadhu journalist Leevan Ali Nasir and injuring several others.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers protested inside the parliament chamber during the final debate for the bill. Some of them were expelled from the chamber.
A major concern raised by the journalist community was that the new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission to be formed under the bill would have members appointed by the President.
Three members of the seven-member commission will be appointed by the President. The other four members will be elected by the media. Media outlets that have been operating for more than five years can field candidates and vote in the election.
In addition to media outlets, journalists can also vote in the election. This means the state broadcaster controlled by the government, Public Service Media (PSM), is likely to take control of the election.
The commission will have the power to regulate social media, and hefty fines can be imposed on media outlets. But a provision which allowed fines on individual journalists was removed from the bill.
Some provisions also allow the commission to cancel the registration of media outlets, while the commission has the power to determine what is true and what is false.
The bill sets out the rules for media ethics and empowers the commission to determine what information endangers public interest.
Among the provisions added to the bill are the procedures for appointing members to investigate complaints submitted to the commission. It was amended to allow the selection of members outside the commission to inquire into cases.
