The proposed Bill on the Right to Protection of Name and Reputation, submitted to the People’s Majlis, includes provisions that allow for defamation lawsuits to be filed over social media posts and shared content, with potential damages reaching up to MVR 500,000.
The government-sponsored bill was introduced to Parliament by Villimalé MP Mohamed Ismail. The legislation outlines an extensive range of actions that would constitute defamation.
According to the bill, legal action can be taken not only against the original publisher of defamatory content on social media but also against those who share or circulate such material.
The bill stipulates that if a plaintiff claims to have suffered damages due to defamation and seeks compensation, the court must award damages if the claim is proven.
Under these provisions, a court can award between MVR 50,000 and MVR 500,000 as compensation for material damages to any individual who successfully sues for defamation.
The legislation further specifies that defamation claims can arise from spoken words, photographs, or drawings. Additionally, lawsuits can be filed over content that depicts a specific person, including films or theatrical performances.
Furthermore, the bill allows for defamation charges if a person’s gestures or physical actions imply or convey a defamatory meaning against another party.
The bill clarifies that a defamation lawsuit can be initiated if any of the specified acts are found to be false and devoid of factual truth.
