A bill has been submitted to Parliament seeking to dissolve the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom) to form a new regulatory body.

The bill, titled the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, was proposed by Baa Thulhaadhoo MP Abdulhannaan Aboobakuru, with the preliminary debate held today.

Hannan had previously proposed abolishing the two institutions last year, but withdrew the amendments following widespread criticism.

According to the bill, a new body, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, would be established with seven members: three appointed by the President with parliamentary approval, and four elected by the media.

The commission’s mandate would include advising the government on broadcasting matters, safeguarding press freedom and freedom of expression, raising public awareness, and directing authorities and service providers to take measures against the spread of false information.

If passed, employees of both MMC and BroadCom would be transferred to the new commission. Until its members are appointed, the body will be overseen by a five-member ad hoc committee formed by the Civil Service Commission, comprising officials ranked above Director General.