Attorney General Uz Ahmed Usham has pledged to address the concerns of journalists regarding the contentious Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill, which proposes penalties, including fines and licence revocations, for media outlets and individual journalists.

The bill, submitted by Independent MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru from the Thulhaadhoo constituency, has drawn significant criticism from the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC). In response, these organisations have launched a campaign titled Hatharehge Haggugai to advocate for press freedoms and protect the rights of journalists.

As part of the campaign, representatives of the media met with Attorney General Uz Usham, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed, and Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Haleel.

 Following the discussions, the Attorney General’s Office assured journalists that their grievances had been heard and that efforts would be made to address their concerns.

The Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that it poses a threat to press freedom in the Maldives. The Government’s engagement with journalists is seen as a critical step towards finding a resolution that balances regulatory oversight with the preservation of journalistic independence.