A bill has been reintroduced to Parliament proposing the consolidation of the country’s two principal media regulatory bodies into a single commission, in a renewed effort to overhaul the national framework for press oversight. The legislation, formally titled the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, proposes the merger of the Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission under a unified authority.
The measure was submitted to parliament by Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, Member of Parliament for Thulhaadhoo, who previously sponsored a similar initiative known as the Media and Broadcast Commission Bill. That earlier version was withdrawn, but the current proposal reflects a sustained legislative interest in streamlining regulatory functions and reinforcing ethical standards across the media sector.
According to its stated objectives, the bill is intended to advance press freedom, ensure its long-term viability, and address the spread of false information. It also seeks to establish formal guidelines for media outlets and journalists, enabling the responsible exercise of constitutionally protected rights.
Under the proposed framework, a new body, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, would be established to assume the responsibilities of the two existing entities. In doing so, the legislation would repeal the laws governing the Maldives Media Council and print media, including newspapers and magazines. Select provisions of the Broadcasting Act would also be abrogated, resulting in the formal dissolution of both the current Media Council and Broadcasting Commission.
The new commission would be composed of seven members. Three would be appointed by the president, subject to parliamentary approval, while four would be elected by media organisations. The president of the commission would be nominated by the Head of State, again with the consent of parliament. The vice president would be selected internally by the commission’s members.
Elections for the media-elected members would be administered by the Elections Commission of Maldives. Eligibility is limited to registered news outlets, broadcasters, or journalists affiliated with such entities, provided they have maintained registration for a minimum of five years. Each member would serve a five-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms permitted.
Among the commission’s core responsibilities would be the creation and maintenance of a national register of journalists and editors operating within the country.
The bill also outlines a framework for enforcement and penalties. For broadcasters, the commission would be authorised to issue rectification orders in response to violations. Repeated infractions could result in fines of up to 10 percent of the broadcaster’s revenue from the preceding fiscal year. In cases of persistent non-compliance, the commission would be empowered to petition the courts for the revocation of broadcasting licences.
For print media, including newspapers and magazines, repeated ethical breaches could incur fines ranging from USD 324.27 to USD 6,485.15. The commission would also have the authority to suspend a publication’s registration pending resolution of a case. Continued violations could prompt the commission to seek cancellation of registration through judicial channels. Additionally, failure to rectify an issue within the timeframe specified by the commission could result in fines between USD 324.27 and USD 1,621.29.
The bill is currently under parliamentary review.