Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Politics
Zaheena Rasheed

‘War on free speech’: Outcry after Maldives passes controversial media bill

Maldives police scuffle with journalists protesting a controversial media regulatory bill outside the parliament on September 16, 2025 [Anoof Junaid/ Dhauru via Reuters]

A bill that critics say could muzzle the media and free speech has sparked an outcry in the Maldives after the government of President Mohamed Muizzu pushed it through parliament, where it enjoys a supermajority.

A prominent union of journalists pledged on Wednesday to defy the bill, while the main opposition party called for protests and a global press freedom group urged Muizzu to veto the legislation.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.