Daily Mail Lanka Calls Maldivian Govt “Media-Pro”, Reality on the Ground Tells a Different Story

The Maldivian government is promoting itself as a supporter of “professional media,” amplifying a favorable article in Sri Lankan press and retweeting it on X. Ministers claim the new Media Control Bill strengthens accountability and media professionalism.

ޤާނޫނުއަސާސީން ކަށަވަރުކޮށްދީފައިވާ ނޫސްވެރިކަމުގެ މިނިވަންކަން ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި ދަމަހައްޓައި، އެ ދާއިރާ ކުރިއަރުވައި ހަރުދަނާކުރުމަށް ރައީސް ޑރ. މުޢިއްޒުގެ ސަރުކާރުން ކުރަމުންދާ މަސައްކަތް ދުނިޔޭގެ ނުފޫޒުގަދަ މީޑިއާތަކުންވެސް މިއަދު މިވަނީ ބަލައިގަނެފައި. މިކަމުން… https://t.co/vHEiA4gmow — Ahmed Shiyam (@Shiyamaldives) September 24, 2025

On the ground, however, the picture is starkly different. The ruling party used its supermajority to push the bill through Parliament, rejecting amendments and even dismissing a petition signed by more than 150 journalists. Reporters who protested outside were beaten back by police, with at least one arrested.

The law dissolves existing independent regulatory bodies and hands sweeping powers to a new government-linked commission, including fines and license suspensions. Critics warn that vague clauses citing “national security” and protecting the “legitimate government” will be used to muzzle independent outlets.

Ministers and mps using this article to prove their point only proves that this a paid article. https://t.co/UDImWWnNdu — Dhaanish (@Dhaanish_Nizam) September 24, 2025

International press freedom groups and watchdogs have condemned the move, calling it a direct threat to free expression. “You cannot be ‘pro-media’ while criminalizing journalism,” one Maldivian editor said.

For many, the government’s PR campaign abroad is an attempt to mask repression at home.