Meekail submits resolution over media bill after earlier motion rejected

South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), submitted a parliamentary resolution over a contentious new media bill on Thursday, after an earlier emergency motion he submitted over the same issue was rejected.

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill will create a seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, replacing the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council. Four of the members, including the president and vice president of the commission, will be appointed by the president with parliamentary approval. The remaining three members will be elected by broadcasters and medias. It also introduces fines of up to MVR 10,000 for individual reporters.

This government bill is sponsored by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdulla Hannan, who got elected as an independent.

The legislature has sparked outcry from not just the MDP, but also media groups such as the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA).

In his resolution, Meekail accused the PNC administration of attempting to curtail free press, restricting opposition political parties, and engaging in systematic attacks on civil liberties enshrined in the Constitution.

He called for a parliamentary debate on the issue.

Earlier on Thursday, Meekail had submitted an emergency motion over the same issue. However, the motion was rejected by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the chairperson of PNC, who said it did not fit the criteria for emergency motions.

Meekail subsequently submitted a parliamentary resolution, stressing that the freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution for as long as it does not violate principles of Islam.

He said that the new media bill is designed to provide the government with full control over medias.

He said that in addition to empowering the president to directly appoint a controlling majority of commissioners, it also gives the government the power to fine individual journalists by high sums of money and shut down medias with impunity.

Meekail described it as just the latest in a long list of incidents where the government has misused its supermajority in the Parliament to curtail fundamental civic and political rights of citizens.

He accused the government of systemically curtailing fundamental rights by targeting one right after the other.

The new bill sets down guidelines for broadcasters and medias, including safeguarding national security, promoting principles of upholding the legitimate government, and protecting the dignity and private affairs of individuals.

The new commission will be charged with formulating the code of ethics for medias and journalists, the violation of which can be punishable with fines, suspension of license and demands for public apologies.

Repeated violation of the code of ethics will be punishable with fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000 for medias, and fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 10,000 for individual journalists.