
“In the Maldives, the government is pushing forward the Media Control Bill, legislation that threatens to dismantle the very foundations of press freedom. It proposes a presidentially appointed commission with sweeping powers to fine, censor, and shut down media outlets and individual journalists. No independent oversight. No public consultation. No protection for those who speak truth. And ironically the Maldives is a member of the Media Freedom Coalition founded by the UK and Canada! Journalists have been protesting peacefully. And for that, they’ve been detained, manhandled, silenced. The message is clear thar dissent will not be tolerated” (Farah Faizal, 16.09.2025).
The People’s National Congress (PNC) and President Dr Mohamed Muizzu have passed the Media Control Bill in Majlis today. That’s a sign of what’s ahead in Male and the whole of Maldives. While that is happening and been in the plans of the government.
The President wrote these words yesterday: “Today, as we mark the #InternationalDayofDemocracy, let us stay dedicated to our journey towards greater representation of women and youth, ensuring that all Maldivian voices are heard and valued at every level of decision-making” (Mohamed Muizzu, 15.09.2025).
Just to put it a bit poignant that the former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih wrote this after the act was passed: “A sad day for democracy in the Maldives!
President Muizzu, using his party’s supermajority in parliament, has rushed through the so-called Media Control Bill—a law that signifies the end of press freedom in Maldives. The underhanded manner in which it was forced through parliament, despite protests by journalists, opposition parties, media organizations, civil society, and the public, lays bare the government’s disregard for Maldivians’ democratic rights” (Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, 16.09.2025).
We know there is mighty concern about it, as the Male City Mayor Adam Azim states this today: “Democracy weakens when voices are silenced.
By forcing through the Media Control Bill, this government has chosen secrecy over transparency, and power over the people. The cries of journalists, civil society, and citizens were ignored. But the struggle for a free press and accountable governance will continue, & Maldivians will not be silenced” (Adam Azim, 16.09.2025).
When we see these reactions, we can easily see the trouble in paradise. The President and the PNC are now working to stifle the media, silence critics and taking control of what is posted on social media. That’s what the President wants and he wants to have a say wherever. Meaning anyone cannot act or speak freely. The state can make a media house stop or silence a journalist. Therefore, this law is made to silence and unleash vast powers on the President. That’s the gist of things and they have pushed it through Majlis today.
We clearly see the views that are expressed by it, but I want to finish this by quoting Ahmed Faris Maumoon: “A free press and free speech are not privileges granted by government; they are fundamental rights of the people. Any MP who votes for the current Media Bill votes against the Constitution and against the Maldivian people” (Ahmed Faris Maumoon, 16.09.2025).
Peace.














