Attorney General Ahmed Usham has asserted that the government's proposed amendments to the Media Regulation Bill will unequivocally address the concerns raised by journalists, aiming to establish a robust and independent media regulatory system.
Speaking on PSM News’ ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme, AG Usham detailed how the government's legal team identified 14 crucial amendments to the bill, initially introduced by independent lawmaker Abdul Hannan Aboobakr.
A cornerstone of the government's proposed amendments, according to the AG, is the complete removal of presidential influence in the appointment and dismissal of members to the media commission. While the original bill granted the President the power to appoint three members, the government now seeks to delete this section entirely.
Instead, it proposes that commission members be appointed and dismissed through a secret ballot of the media, a move Usham described as the most significant change that directly addresses journalists' primary concern about executive interference.
"The President will have no role in appointing and removing members of the commission. We proposed these amendments to Articles 17, 19 and 20. That was the biggest concern of journalists,” he explained.
Beyond curbing presidential powers, the proposed amendments also include significant protections for journalists.
The amendments have proposed to remove the section allowing sanctions against individual journalists, ensuring that accountability is directed appropriately.
Other key changes include establishing qualification requirements for editors, ensuring the commission is funded from the government budget, clarifying procedures for case investigations, and prioritising the cessation of anti-Islamic, immoral, and degrading practices within the media.
AG Usham clarified that the government's intervention comes as it was already developing its own media bill, and these amendments align with its policy of merging the Media Council and Broadcasting Commission while developing a proper regulatory system.
He emphasised that the government had no intention of influencing the media, but rather to facilitate journalism and information within the constitutional and legal framework.
If passed with these amendments, the Attorney General believes the bill will resolve all journalists' grievances and establish a strong, independent system for media regulation.