Journalists protest outside the Parliament building as the legislative house prepares to pass the controversial media bill at today's session.
The bill, submitted by an independent Parliament Member, was passed by the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Entities yesterday in chaotic circumstances. The Committee was convened twice amid protests from MDP MPs and journalists at the meeting. While the bill was passed with the backing of the ruling PNC MPs on the Committee, MDP MP Meekail Naseem questioned the legitimacy of the vote.
He also stated that the bill does not reflect the concerns voiced by journalists in their petition against the bill. However, MP for Baarashu Constituency Ibrahim Shujau noted that these concerns were addressed by the amendments suggested by the Attorney General's Office.
The bill was passed in the Committee's second meeting held yesterday.
The Parliament is expected to pass the bill today; however, the legislative house is yet to announce when the session will begin or what is on the agenda for the session.
