The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader, Ibrahim Falah, has confirmed that the draconian media control legislation passed yesterday can be used to take action against social media posts.
Speaking in the People's Majlis during the final debate for the bill, the MP for Inguraidhoo constituency said the new law applies to all citizens, including himself.
"No one is exempt from this, Honourable Speaker. I am not exempt either. If I post fake news about someone on social media, action will be taken against me, and action can be taken against you, too, Honourable Speaker," Falah said.
But the government had earlier carried out a disinformation campaign about the bill, during which Falah said that public opinion expressed on social media does not fall under the media control law.
Article 61 of the bill passed yesterday states that the measures will also apply to electronic media. Article 84 states that electronic media is the means of disseminating news and information through a digital or electronic medium, including the Internet.
The government is facing condemnation for pushing ahead with the restrictive legislation despite appeals by the local journalist community and international organisations.
On Tuesday, the US embassy called on the government to uphold the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
