Extraordinary sitting over media control bill scheduled by Parliament

A remarkable parliamentary session has been arranged for Wednesday to discuss a controversial Media Bill introduced by Independent MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr from the Thulhaadhoo constituency.

Opponents claim the legislation gives the government considerable authority over media activities.

Wednesday's session agenda emphasizes discussing the Media Bill, in addition to appointing members to the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and four individuals to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) board.

This unique sitting takes place after the end of the Parliament's second session, with the Deputy Speaker declaring two extraordinary sessions to complete significant legislative issues.

Although these exceptional sessions were first described as a means to tackle a range of important matters, Wednesday’s attention is firmly on the Media Bill.

Veteran reporters, during a press briefing on Tuesday, expressed significant worries, calling the legislation "malicious" and cautioning that it risks rolling back press and expression freedoms in the Maldives by twenty years.

The continuous discussion highlights significant rifts concerning the future of media governance and liberty in the Maldives.