Global Press Freedom Groups Condemn Maldives Media Bill as “Grave Threat to Democracy”

A coalition of leading international press freedom and human rights organizations has issued a strong statement condemning the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, warning that it poses a grave threat to press freedom, democracy, and the public’s right to know.

The bill, submitted to the People’s Majlis by MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, seeks to establish a new regulatory authority, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, that would wield sweeping powers over the press, including the ability to suspend outlets during investigations, block websites, and halt broadcasts. The law also introduces steep penalties, with fines of MVR 5,000 - 25,000 for individual journalists and up to MVR 100,000 for media outlets deemed non-compliant with yet-to-be-defined commission rules.

The statement endorsed by over 20 organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Transparency Maldives, and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) warned that the commission’s proposed structure would effectively place the media under government control.

“A seven-member commission, with three members appointed by the President and a chair approved by him, cannot be considered independent. Such a body undermines public confidence, invites abuse, and risks silencing critical reporting,” the coalition declared.

The groups also criticized the lack of consultation with journalists, unions, and independent outlets, describing the legislative process as rushed and opaque. The MJA documented how the bill was fast-tracked in parliament without genuine debate or engagement, despite widespread protests from local journalists.

This is not the first attempt to push such legislation. A similar bill was withdrawn in November 2024 after public outcry. The reintroduction of nearly identical provisions has raised suspicions that the move is politically driven to tighten government control over independent media.

Calling on MP Abdul Hannan to withdraw the bill immediately, the organizations urged the government to pursue reforms that strengthen, rather than weaken, independent journalism.

“Bypassing genuine consultation shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of regulation, which is to safeguard democracy and press freedom, not dismantle it,” the statement read.

The coalition reaffirmed its readiness to work constructively with the government to design reforms rooted in international best practices but stressed that this bill, in its current form, represents a dangerous step backward for Maldivian democracy.