The parliament Secretariat has violated its standing orders to pave the way for the government to pass legislation aimed at controlling freedom of expression and speech in the Maldives.

A sitting has been scheduled for 4:00 pm today to pass the government-backed Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill. MPs have now been informed about the sitting, but they have not received the agenda.

According to the standing orders, the agenda must be sent to MPs six hours before the sitting.

The parliament website is also inaccessible. The parliamentary committee on independent institutions approved the bill on Monday, but the committee report has not been made available.

The media control bill was proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, who sits in the Majlis as an independent lawmaker.

The government claims it was not behind the draconian proposal, but has been actively promoting it and pushing for its approval.

The bill was passed by the ruling People's National Congress (PNC)'s supermajority in the committee on Monday, after locking out journalists and opposition MPs, despite appeals for its withdrawal.

Journalists are protesting and conducting a massive campaign on social media to pressure the government to withdraw the bill. A petition has also been submitted to the People's Majlis and the President's Office.

However, the parliamentary committee on independent institutions passed the bill on Monday without addressing the concerns highlighted in the petition. It is expected to be approved by the parliament on Tuesday's sitting.