In a decisive move to uphold press freedom, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration has clarified its stance against introducing legislation to regulate journalism and the internet. Heena Waleed, the spokesperson for the President’s Office, emphasized that the government is not drafting any such bill, nor does it plan to in the future.
ނޫސްވެރިކަމާ އިންޓަރނެޓް ރެގިއުލޭޓް ކުރާ ބިލެއް ތަޢާރަފް ކުރާކަށް ސަރުކާރުން އެެއްވެސް މަސައްކަތެއް ނުކުރޭ. ސަރުކާރުގެ ލެޖިސްލޭޓިވް އެޖެންޑާގައިވެސް އެފަދަ ބިލެއް ހިމެނިފައި ނުވާނެ. ކުރިއަށްއޮތް ތަނުގައިވެސް އެފަދަ ބިލެއް ތަޢާރަފް ކުރުމުގެ ވިސްނުމެއްނެތް. ކުރިންވެސް…
— Heena Waleed (@MvSpokesperson) January 26, 2025
There is no intention to introduce such a bill in the future either. As previously disclosed, the government’s policy is to deregulate media outlets and provide opportunities for a self-regulatory system,” Heena stated in a recent post on X. She further highlighted that since the inception of President Muizzu’s tenure, a paramount policy has been to establish and maintain media freedom in its broadest sense.
This clarification comes in response to recent developments in the legislative arena. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ahmed Nazim of the People’s National Congress (PNC), announced his intention to submit a bill aimed at regulating media and internet activities. Nazim expressed concerns over the current self-regulatory mechanisms, stating, “I believe that the media needs to be more responsible. The media claims they can self-regulate. But this isn’t working. I don’t see it working.”
Previously, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru had introduced the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill, proposing the creation of a seven-member commission with a majority appointed by the President. The bill faced significant backlash from journalists and media organizations, leading to its withdrawal. President Muizzu distanced his administration from the bill, asserting that controlling newspapers and media outlets is not an acceptable policy.
The administration’s reaffirmation of its commitment to press freedom underscores its dedication to a self-regulatory media environment, ensuring that journalistic practices remain free from governmental interference.
