Controversial Media Law Sparks Uproar in the Maldives
Journalists in the Maldives are appealing to the Supreme Court against a new law they claim censors and penalizes media. The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, signed by President Mohamed Muizzu, establishes a government-controlled commission with authority to suspend media, levy fines, and influence social media.
The media community in the Maldives is gearing up for a legal battle as they plan to challenge a controversial new law in the nation's Supreme Court. The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, now enacted, is being contested for potentially stifling journalistic freedom and imposing harsh penalties.
Critics argue that the bill, by establishing a powerful Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, concentrates excessive control over the media landscape. The commission has the authority to suspend press registrations, block websites, and levy fines, raising concerns of governmental overreach, according to the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA).
The law has sparked divided opinions. While Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel claims the bill promotes independent oversight, media watchdogs and members of the press express fears over its implications for press freedom in the politically charged nation.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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