Maldives journalists vow to defy a freshly ratified media regulation, raising alarms over potential curbs on press freedom in the archipelago nation.
The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) announced on Thursday, September 18, 2025, that it will challenge the Maldives new law 2025 the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill in the Supreme Court, claiming it imposes undue government control over media operations and threatens journalistic independence in the Indian Ocean nation.
Why It Matters
This development underscores escalating tensions between the Maldivian government and the press, a dynamic with ripple effects across South Asia amid the archipelago’s strategic positioning between India and China. As a key maritime hub, any erosion of media freedoms in the Maldives could amplify concerns over democratic backsliding in the region, influencing regional alliances and public discourse on geopolitical issues. For South Asian nations grappling with similar balances between regulation and expression, the outcome of this legal battle may set precedents for media governance.
Overview of the Maldives New Law 2025
The Maldives new law 2025, officially Act No. 16/2025, was ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday, September 18, 2025, following its passage by the People’s Majlis during a special session on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
The legislation aims to consolidate media oversight by establishing the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, a seven-member body tasked with regulating both print and broadcast outlets. According to the President’s Office, the Act seeks to “foster the growth of a free and independent media landscape” while preventing the dissemination of false information and introducing streamlined registration processes aligned with global standards.
Under the new framework, the existing Maldives Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission will be dissolved, with their functions transferred to the unified commission. The commission’s composition includes three members appointed by Parliament, four elected by registered media entities, and a chairperson selected by the legislative body. Notably, Parliament where the ruling People’s National Congress holds a supermajority retains the authority to dismiss all members, including those nominated by media organisations.
Proponents, including Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, have defended the Maldives new law 2025 as a measure to enhance transparency. In a post on X on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 1:01 PM, Mr Khaleel stated: “The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill unifies oversight under an independent commission, with majority members chosen directly by registered media entities themselves, ensuring transparency and independence from executive control. It modernises registration, sets clear professional standards, and strengthens public confidence in the press.”
He contrasted this with the previous administration’s handling of journalists, alleging instances of force against reporters covering protests.
Maldives Journalists Repeal Law 2025: A Defiant Stance
The MJA, representing over 150 journalists, has labelled the Maldives new law 2025 as “unconstitutional” and a “serious blow to press freedom and freedom of expression.” In a statement released on September 18, 2025, the association condemned the legislation as a “transparent attempt to pave the way for the Executive Legislature to take full control of the media.” Critics within the MJA argue that the commission’s sweeping powers encompassing the ability to block websites, revoke broadcasting licences, and impose sanctions without due process could foster self-censorship and intimidate the media community.
MJA President Naaif Ahmed echoed these sentiments in an interview, asserting: “Media should be self-regulated and state regulation should not be allowed. We will not obey this law. We will go to the Supreme Court and ask it to dismantle this law.” The association has pledged to collaborate with civil society to explore legal avenues for repeal, declaring: “However, we will not be intimidated. We stand in defiance of this law and will work with journalists and civil society actors to explore all necessary avenues to challenge this unconstitutional law.”
The bill’s origins trace back to August 18, 2025, when Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent aligned with the government, introduced it to replace the self-regulatory system with the new commission-led model. Despite protests outside Parliament on September 17, 2025, the measure advanced rapidly, prompting outcry from international watchdogs.
The maximum fine under the Maldives new law 2025 for media outlets is MVR 250,000, while individuals face up to MVR 25,000. Such penalties, if enforced, could disproportionately burden smaller outlets in a nation estimated to host 200-300 registered media entities, though fewer than 50 remain active.
Background
The Maldives new law 2025 emerges against a backdrop of fluctuating press freedoms in the archipelago. The country slipped to 104th place on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, a decline of two positions from the previous year. Historical rivalries, including clashes between journalists and authorities during protests under prior governments, have heightened sensitivities around media regulation. Geopolitically, the Maldives’ pivot towards closer ties with China since President Muizzu’s 2023 election has drawn scrutiny from India, with media narratives often at the centre of these dynamics.
International bodies, including Reporters Without Borders, have urged the withdrawal of similar bills in recent months, citing risks to independent journalism. The MJA’s repeal efforts align with broader calls from groups like the International Federation of Journalists, which decried the law as “repressive” upon its parliamentary passage on September 16, 2025.
What’s Next for Maldives Journalists Repeal Law 2025
As the Maldives journalists repeal law 2025 campaign gains momentum, the Supreme Court petition could test the judiciary’s independence amid parliamentary dominance. Legal experts anticipate hearings within weeks, potentially reshaping media governance. For now, the MJA urges outlets to continue operations defiantly, signalling a protracted struggle over the Maldives new law 2025’s implications for democratic expression.
In the weeks ahead, stakeholders will monitor whether international pressure influences amendments, ensuring the Maldives new law 2025 balances accountability with unfettered reporting.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 19th, 2025
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