Maldives Ratifies Controversial Media Bill That Would Ease Closure of News Outlets

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu approved a controversial new media law Thursday, allowing fines and the closure of media outlets that violate its provisions, a bill that critics say would likely stifle free speech and press freedoms, the Associated Press reported. 

According to the measure, journalists would be required to respect the nation’s constitution, Islam, national security, social values, and protect personal honor and human rights.   

Individual journalists could be fined up to $1,620 and media companies up to $6,485 if they are found to be violating the law. Authorities will also be allowed to suspend media licenses until the end of any investigations they initiate, start the legal process to cancel media licenses, and even send officers to interrupt broadcasts if media outlets are caught violating the law.  

A seven-member committee – three appointed by parliament and four elected by registered media groups – will be tasked with ensuring compliance and investigating any alleged offenses, Al Jazeera noted.  

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act was overwhelmingly passed by legislators Tuesday, 60-33, after opposition members were evicted amid protests.  

The government said the bill was necessary to create a unified body to oversee broadcast and online media and to “safeguard the constitutional right to freedom of expression” and establish “clear standards and a code of conduct.” It would also “address the challenges of misinformation, disinformation and coordinated manipulation of content.” 

A prominent union of journalists pledged to challenge the bill, while the main opposition party called for protests. 

“The Maldivian parliament has passed a draconian bill that seeks to muzzle dissent online and offline,” Ahmed Naaif, the secretary general of the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), told Al Jazeera. “We journalists will stand together in defiance against this takeover of the media by the executive branch.” 

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) described the passage of the bill as a “sad day for democracy in the Maldives.” 

The Maldives, a conservative Muslim-majority island nation of 500,000 people with a high-end tourism industry, has struggled to transition to democracy since it ended 30 years of autocratic rule in 2008.