News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu forcefully rejected a proposed media regulation bill on Sunday, while announcing unprecedented state support for press freedom during his administration’s first-anniversary presentation in Male’.
“The bill will be thrown out of parliament. Of course, we will not accept it,” President Muizzu declared at the Social Center, responding to journalists during a post-presentation interaction. He questioned the consistency of accepting such regulation while promising media independence.
The legislation, proposed by Thulhaadhoo Constituency MP Abdul Hannan, aimed to merge the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission into a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. The bill, presented as a measure to promote press freedom, would have established guidelines for media practitioners and outlined journalists’ responsibilities. Under the proposed structure, the commission would comprise seven members: four presidential appointees requiring parliamentary approval and three elected media representatives.
Instead of regulation, President Muizzu announced several initiatives to empower media organizations. “For the first time, this year’s proposed budget will include funding for the media from the state budget, as promised,” he said. The administration plans to provide media outlets with office space at subsidized rates in a former STO hotel building in Hulhumale’.
Highlighting his government’s commitment to transparency, President Muizzu reported that 91 percent of right-to-information requests to his office had received responses. A new ‘Government’ news portal now broadcasts ministerial activities, while a “People’s Voice” portal has addressed 773 of 819 public queries in detail.
The administration’s media engagement has been substantial, with government ministries holding 73 press conferences and ministers giving 791 media interviews during the first 52 weeks of his presidency.
However, President Muizzu also set boundaries for journalistic conduct. “It is not true to be political and have your own agenda unless a political leader says so,” he stated, emphasizing that truthful reporting was sufficient for journalists. He promised “complete freedom for all media in accordance with Islam and the Constitution.”
The People’s National Congress Parliamentary Group’s opposition to the bill effectively ensures its defeat in parliament, marking a significant victory for press freedom advocates in the Maldives.
