Reporters Without Borders and International Organisations Urge Withdrawal of Media and Broadcasting Bill in Maldives

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill currently before parliament, stating it is gravely concerned about the proposed legislation.

“Under the guise of reform, the bill aims to place media regulation under the direct influence of the executive branch and provides for extensive punitive powers,” RSF said in a statement issued on Friday, 28 August 2025.

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According to RSF, the proposed “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission,” which would be established if the bill is passed, lacks independence from government influence. The body would comprise three members appointed by the President, raising concerns that media freedom could be undermined.

Célia Mercier, Head of RSF’s South Asia Desk, described the bill as “a direct attack on press freedom in the Maldives.” She warned that the proposed commission would hold excessive powers, including the ability to block news websites without a court order and to impose disproportionate penalties. 

“RSF calls on the Maldives parliament to immediately withdraw this bill, engage in genuine consultation with journalists and professional organisations, and guarantee an independent self-regulation mechanism in line with democratic principles,” she added.

The bill, drafted without consultation with media professionals, was adopted in an extraordinary parliamentary session on 27 August. It has been referred to the Committee on Independent Institutions, which is tasked with seeking expert input and proposing amendments. The committee must finalise the draft by 15 September before submitting it to parliament for a second reading.

If enacted, the law would merge the Maldives Media Council (MMC), an independent self-regulatory body, and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom), which regulates broadcasters and whose members are elected by parliament, into a single new commission.

The proposed commission would be empowered to impose sanctions, including fines of up to MVR 25,000 on journalists and up to MVR 100,000 on media outlets. It could also revoke licences, block websites, and initiate proceedings against editorial offices. The bill further allows retroactive sanctions on content published up to one year before the law takes effect.

The Maldives is ranked 104th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index.

International Organisations Letter to the President, Calls for Withdrawal of Bill

Separately, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), along with its affiliate the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), has presented a letter signed by 21 organisations to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, to immediately withdraw the bill and open an inclusive consultation process with journalists, unions and media outlets.

The main concerns outlined by the organisations include the establishment of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, with excessive control over the news and broadcasting sector. The proposed body would have the authority to suspend outlets during investigations, block newspaper websites and halt broadcasts. As the RSF had outlined, the joint letter also presents the governance model as concerning, along with the proposed new fines.  They further argue that this structure undermines independence, erodes public trust, and contradicts the government’s commitments to protect media freedom.

The bill has also drawn criticism for its drafting process, which lacked consultation with journalists and media bodies, and for being fast-tracked through parliament despite protests. Observers note it mirrors a withdrawn 2024 proposal and contradicts constitutional protections and international obligations. Media groups are calling for the bill’s withdrawal and genuine consultation.

Local Journalists Against the Media Regulation Bill

Since the bill has been sent to parliament, it has attracted criticism from both local journalists and independent journalism organisations. The Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) have been calling for the immediate withdrawal of the bill. On Thursday, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with the MJA and assured the association members he is “100 percent pro-media” and pledged to give their concerns consideration. However, in the past week, he has said that while he does not intend ever to control the media, he does believe the freedom of speech and expression is not limitless and should exist within bounds, so that it does not infringe upon the rights of others.