MDP Calls on Thulhaadhoo MP to Withdraw Media Bill

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the MP for Thulhaadhoo constituency, Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, to withdraw the “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill,” describing it as an attempt to undermine independent journalism and pave the way for government control of the media.

In a press release issued yesterday, the party said the bill, if passed, would establish the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission with extensive powers to influence and restrict the media. MDP noted that the chairperson of the proposed commission would be appointed by the President, raising concerns about its independence.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

“The freedom of expression via our tongues and pens was hard won by Maldivian citizens’ protests under the hot sun over a long time, and is the fourth pillar of our democracy, as engraved into the green Constitution,” the party said.

ނޫސްބަޔާން: ޤާނޫނުގެ ވެރިކަން ދަމަހައްޓަން ލާޒިމުކޮށް، ސަރުކާރު އަޑީގައި އޮވެ މީޑިއާތައް ކޮންޓްރޯލް ކުރުމަށް ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ ބިލު އަނބުރާ ގެންދިއުމަށް ތުޅާދޫ ދާއިރާގެ ފަރާތުން ގޮވާލުންhttps://t.co/4yjQ942vBu pic.twitter.com/SXdzbIrqLN— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) August 23, 2025

MDP condemned the bill for being drafted without consultation and criticised provisions that would empower the commission to halt broadcasts and impose heavy fines on media organisations. The party argued that penalising outlets for publishing information would be a disservice to the Maldivian people.

The party urged the Thulhaadhoo MP to withdraw the bill and to avoid aligning with what it described as government efforts to control the press.

The proposed legislation has already drawn criticism from international and local organisations. On 20 August, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, citing serious concerns over press freedom and excessive regulatory powers.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC) also urged the government to drop the proposal, saying it was formulated without consultation with journalists, unions, or media outlets.

The bill, submitted to parliament on 18 August, is the second attempt by MP Abdul Hannan to restructure media regulation. A similar draft tabled in November 2024 was withdrawn following widespread opposition. The current version proposes a seven-member commission, with three presidential appointees and four members nominated by the media sector. However, the chairperson would be appointed by the President, and media representatives could face removal through parliamentary no-confidence votes, raising further concerns about the commission’s independence.