Former President Solih condemns proposed media bill as threat to press freedom

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday asserted that the bill currently before Parliament, proposing stringent measures against specific journalists, would utterly dismantle press freedom in the Maldives.

The controversial legislation was introduced by Thulhaadhoo Independent MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, a known government supporter with close ties to the administration. This marks a second attempt by Abubakr to curtail media powers, following the withdrawal of an initial version due to widespread protests from journalists and media associations.

However, a revised bill was resubmitted on Monday, reigniting concerns within the media landscape.

In a post on X, Solih characterized the bill, which seeks to bring media under direct government control, as a significant assault on the free press in the Maldives. He unequivocally called for the bill's withdrawal, emphasizing its potential to eradicate press freedom.

Hannan's proposed bill would establish a media regulatory commission, with three of its seven members, including the Chairman, directly appointed by the President.

ސަރުކާރުގެ ކޮންޓްރޯލްގެ ދަށަށް މީޑިއާތައް ގެންދިޔުމަށް ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހަށް ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ ބިލަކީ ރާއްޖޭގެ މިނިވަން ނޫސްވެރިކަމަށް ދެވޭ ބޮޑު ޙަމަލާއެއް. މީޑިއާތައް އުވާލައި، ވަކިވަކި ނޫސްވެރިންނާ ދެކޮޅަށް ހަރުކަށި ފިޔަވަޅު އެޅޭ ގޮތަށް އޮތް މި ބިލަކީ މިނިވަން ނޫސްވެރިކަން…

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) August 19, 2025

Furthermore, the bill grants this regulatory commission substantial powers to penalize violations of its directives. Provisions within the bill could lead to hefty fines, the blocking of websites and broadcasts, and even the cancellation of media registrations.

The bill has drawn sharp criticism from journalists' associations and opposition parties, who universally describe it as a direct infringement on press freedom.

Despite being introduced by an independent member, the government, which commands a supermajority in parliament, has publicly expressed its support for the bill.

in parliament, has expressed its support for the bill.