Two arrested from protest against media bill, including MMC member Leevan

Leevan Ali Naseer, a member of the Maldives Media Council (MMC), was detained by police on Tuesday, as he joined other journalists outside the Parliament Building in protesting against a contentious media bill that seeks to replace the existing self-regulatory system with a government-controlled commission.

Videos show Leevan, a journalist at the news outlet Adhadhu, being taken away by three police officers with his hands handcuffed behind his back.

A police spokesperson confirmed Leevan is in police custody.

Providing additional details, the spokesperson said that two people were taken into custody for protesting outside the Parliament Building in violation of the right to freedom of assembly and for confronting the police.

One of the individuals is 28-year-old Leevan, while the other was identified as a 40-year-old male.

According to the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), reports from the ground indicate Leevan was arrested violently by the police.

Journalist Leevan, a member of the Maldives Media Council, has been violently arrested by the police according to reports on the ground.

We are actively working to find out where he has been taken.#CTRLehNukureveyne https://t.co/omFPbsEEzF

— Maldives Journalists Association (@mjamaldives) September 16, 2025

On August 18, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government, submitted a bill that seeks to dissolve the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the BroadCom, replacing them with a single regulatory body — a seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC).

The bill, widely panned both local and international journalism groups, is openly backed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration. The Parliament went into recess on August 19, but has been holding extraordinary sittings and committee meetings to work on the bill.

Despite the widespread concerns over the legislature’s implications on press freedom and freedom of expression, the Independent Institutions Committee passed the bill with multiple government-drafted amendments on Monday late afternoon, as journalists and opposition lawmakers broke out in protest.

Shortly after, the Parliament announced an extraordinary sitting would be held on Tuesday, during which several PNC lawmakers confirmed they plan on passing the bill.

Journalists have been gathered outside the Parliament Building since 08:30 am, in a final stand against the passage of the bill. They were later joined by members from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), as well as other members of the general public.

There have been several incidents of confrontations, as riot police pushed back protestors, some of whom were violently dragged away, resulting in injuries.