Man arrested for allegedly inciting riots over media control bill

A man has been arrested on charges of encouraging protesters to commit riots against the recently introduced Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill.

Police identified the arrested individual as 29-year-old Ali Anim Mufeed of Athamavilla/S.Hithadhoo. He was apprehended for posting on X to instigate violence in protests concerning the bill. Police stated that the case is currently under investigation.

Anim's X account reportedly contains numerous anti-government posts, with many encouraging and instigating violence during demonstrations.

The controversial media control bill was introduced in Parliament by Abdul Hannan Abubakr, an independent MP from Thulhaadhoo constituency.

Journalists have been protesting the bill non-violently, using symbolic acts such as posts depicting them with taped mouths to highlight the perceived restriction on their voices and freedom.

Key provisions of Hannan's proposed bill include the establishment of a media regulatory commission. This commission would comprise seven members, with the President directly appointing three, including the Chairman. The bill grants this commission substantial powers to penalize violations, potentially leading to hefty fines, the blocking of websites and broadcasts, and even the cancellation of media registrations.

Both the Media Council and the Journalists Association (MJA) have publicly called for the withdrawal of the proposed legislation. However, the government has expressed its support for the bill, with a majority of government-aligned Members of Parliament also backing the legislation.