The Parliament has accepted the Media Regulation Bill, proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan, and referred it to the Independent Institutions Committee for further review today. 

The bill was passed during an extraordinary sitting held today, with 62 members present.

A total of 49 lawmakers from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) voted in favor, while 12 voted against.

The decision comes as journalists staged demonstrations outside the parliament, demanding the withdrawal of the bill.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC) have also urged MPs to reject the proposal, warning that it poses a threat to press freedom.

During the debate, ruling party MPs defended the bill, arguing that existing regulatory bodies such as the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission have overlapping responsibilities but have been ineffective in addressing defamation-related cases.

They maintained that new legislation is necessary to hold the media accountable.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members strongly opposed the bill, describing it as a significant setback for press freedom and calling for its immediate withdrawal.

The legislation has also attracted criticism from international press freedom organizations.

Journalists in the Maldives have launched a petition against the bill, warning it would undermine constitutional protections for media independence.

Following the vote, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla announced that all items on the agenda had been completed and that no further extraordinary sittings would be held.