The Attorney General Ahmed Usham has assured the Maldives Journalists Association MJA that its concerns about the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill would be addressed.
He assured the association after he met with top officials from the media advocate association earlier today. Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts Ibrahim Waheed and Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communication Ibrahim Khalil also participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the Attorney General listened to the concerns voiced by MJA on behalf of reporters across the country over the newly proposed media bill.
After the meeting, MJA said that it was encouraged by the guarantee from the Attorney General and information minister that the government does not support the current "media control bill".
MJA also said that it looked forward to an official decision from the government rejecting the bill.
A bill has been introduced in Parliament to abolish the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Broadcasting Commission and create a new commission to regulate the media under the name of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.
The Bill was proposed by the MP for Thulhaadhoo Constituency Abdul Hannan Abubakar. In his Bill, MP Hanaan who is an independent MP, states that the ruling party would hold majority power over the new media commission.
