President Mohamed Muizzu has dismissed international concern over the media control legislation which restricts freedom of expression in the Maldives.
He disregarded appeals by the local journalist community and international organizations and ratified the legislation on Thursday.
Muizzu, who is currently campaigning in the atolls for the local council election, said spreading corruption is worse than murder, according to the Quran.
He accused journalists of spreading fake news and creating division and said he would not allow them to do so.
"Can they challenge the Quran and write? They can't do that. They can't do that in this country. I don't care what kind of statements they bring from any where [in the world]," Muizzu said.
The US and British embassies in the Maldives have expressed concern over the draconian legislation.
In a post on social media X, the UK High Commission in Maldives noted that leaders of Commonwealth nations agreed that free and responsible journalism is an essential part of a democracy.
The High Commission was referring to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa in October last year.
"... the leaders of the Commonwealth - including the UK and Maldives - reaffirmed the vital role of free, independent, and responsible media in democracy. We urge all partners to honour and uphold the commitments we made together," the post read.
Earlier, the US Embassy in Maldives also called on the Muizzu administration not to interfere with the right to freedom of the press and expression.
In a post on X, the embassy said the "United States supports freedom of expression, including for journalists, as a fundamental freedom."
"We urge the Maldives and all countries to uphold the freedoms of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices," the post read.
International organizations like the Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have also issued statements expressing concern over the law.
The government exploited its supermajority in the parliament to push through the bill, which would control registered media and social media. Journalists were beaten, arrested and property was damaged as police used excessive force during protests against the bill.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Muizzu to reject the bill and "uphold his pledge to protect media freedom."
The Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) under the previous self-regulatory system is now dissolved and the new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission will be formed with Muizzu's direct involvement.
But the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) vowed to defy the law and boycott the politicized commission. The association announced the formation of the "Free Press Council" which will act as a self regulatory authority for the media.
