The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has filed a case in the High Court seeking to quash the Media and Broadcasting Commission Act.

MJA President Ahmed Naif told a news conference yesterday (January 26) that the law was passed in violation of the Constitution and international conventions.

"It is very clear that this law is in violation of the principles envisioned by the Constitution of the Maldives and the three-part test mentioned in Article 19 of the ICCPR," Naif said.

The association wants the High Court to quash the act as it "fundamentally compromises press freedom and the constitutional rights of journalists."

They also requested a stay order to prevent the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Control Commission) from taking any punitive actions against media outlets or journalists until the court reaches a final verdict on this matter.