Nasheed calls for rejection of media bill amid press freedom concerns
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu not to ratify the contentious Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, warning it could undermine press freedom and democratic values in the Maldives.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) today, Nasheed expressed his view
As a writer and former prisoner of conscience, my plea to President Dr. Muizzu is not to ratify the Media Bill. Whenever a government suppresses people’s right to freedom of expression it inevitably makes the country less free and less prosperous,
Nasheed wrote.
He also called for the immediate release of journalists who were detained yesterday while protesting the bill near Parliament and the President’s Office.
The Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, submitted on 19 August 2025 by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru and passed by Parliament on 27 August with 49 votes in favor and 12 against, has sparked widespread criticism from journalists and opposition groups.
Journalists and media associations have demanded the bill’s withdrawal, arguing it threatens press freedom.
President Muizzu has met with journalists and pledged to consider amendments but has not committed to scrapping the legislation entirely.
The Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions has opened a public feedback window on the bill, with submissions accepted until 6 September.
The committee aims to complete its review by 15 September before the bill proceeds to the next stage.
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