Maldives Media Council (MMC) has passed to share their concerns over the proposed Maldives Media Commission bill with Members of Parliament.

The decision came amid a time when journalists and media organizations expressed their concerns over the bill, citing that if passed as it was proposed now, then it will effectively hinder media and journalism in the country.

A member of MMC said the Council members had analyzed the bill when it was proposed, which had revealed serious concerns over the bill. MMC member added they will have discussions with media organizations over the bill. The member also said they will seek to present their findings to MPs and seek out a solution for the concerns.

One of the biggest concerns, the member said was the lack of media involvement in selecting members of the proposed Maldives Media Commission.

The Commission will be formed after disbanding existing media bodies; Maldives Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC).

The first reading of the bill had already been carried out in Parliament. The bill was submitted on behalf of the Government by Ungoofaaru constituency MP Jaufar Dawood.

Some MPs have claimed that even though the Council and Commission regulates and monitors media, there were many conflicting elements in the mandate of the two bodies. Therefore, some MPs had proposed to merge the two bodies into one.

Some of the Government aligned MPs had previously indicated that a Commission will replace MMC and MBC. Some MPs had also noted there was no point in keeping two bodies for media, even from a financial perspective.

MMC had previously said they were unable to fulfill their mandate as they did not have a budget.

MBC is under fire, with citizens questioning Commission’s independence and integrity.

MBC had fined RaajjeTV by MVR 1.7 on three occasions this year so far.