Asward: Media bill passed after removing “controlling” characteristics in original draft

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed (Asward), citing there were “controlling” characteristics in the controversial media bill when it was initially submitted to the Parliament, said the bill was passed after removing these provisions.

The controversial media bill submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government, was passed by the Parliament where ruling PNC holds supermajority on Tuesday amidst protest near the Parliament building by journalists, the opposition and members of the public.

The bill was passed during an extraordinary sitting out of session held on Tuesday evening after naming and removing main opposition MDP lawmakers who were protesting against the bill on the floor. While 60 lawmakers voted to pass the bill, only one voted against it: Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas.

Speaking during a program broadcasted by state media, PSM, on Tuesday night, Asward, who previously worked as a journalist, acknowledged that the bill containing “controlling” characteristics when it was initially submitted by Hannan. He affirmed that these provisions have been removed from the bill to transport it to legislature aimed at regulating the media.

“Control bill no longer exists. When it [the bill] was submitted, it contained controlling characteristics as stated [by journalists]. However, we have amended the control bill characteristics. Now it is a regulatory bill,” he said.

According to Asward, the original media bill was a mix of the most recent bills formulated by Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom).

He noted that he met with journalists regarding the bill, during which numerous concerns were brought up. He added he had assured them those concerns would be addressed before the bill is passed, provided he remains in office.

“They [journalists] will be aware of the amendments I proposed. They will know that when the bill was passed today [Tuesday], there are no provisions contrary to what I have discussed with them. This is something they will know with absolute certainty,” he said.

The Parliament passed the bill with amendments made during the committee stage and the four amendments proposed Fonadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh, a lawmaker from PNC.

Key amendments to the bill:

• Removal of the provision that empowered the commission to shut down media stations during ongoing investigations
• Amending the provision that allowed for the commission’s president to be directly election by the Maldivian President, to have the commission’s president elected through a vote among commission members
• Detailed explanation of electronic media that leaves out social media from commission scrutiny
• Detailed explanation of the provision that requires news outlets and magazines to inform the commission prior to publication
• Stipulating that the commission cannot take any action that violates the freedom of expression and freedom of the press enshrined in the Constitution
• Stipulating that the commission must allow media outlets and individual journalists the chance to provide a written response to allegations before they are sanctioned
• Facilitating the chance for affected parties to revise or demand answers in response to false information published in news articles

Journalists continue to express concern over the sweeping legislature, urging President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu against ratifying the bill.

Both local and international organizations advocating for freedom of the press, including Maldives Media Council, Maldives Broadcasting Commission and Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, have also raised concerns over the bill. 

Following the passage of the bill, the United States has also called on the Maldivian government to uphold freedom of expression.