Member of Parliament for Vilimale’ Constituency and PPM PG Leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has stated that President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom has assured that he will seek a solution to the concerns journalists had raised on the defamation bill.
A tweet posted by the MP stated that President Yameen had assured a solution will be found for the issue.
Speaking to Miadhu, MP Nihan said the possible constraints for journalists will be removed from the bill. However, he said the clauses on defamation will be addressed in the bill.
Miadhu posed the question to MP Nihan regarding the current situation in the Parliament, especially on the statements made by some MPs that the Supreme Court is a lawless place. MP Nihan said that in those cases journalists will be protected.
“Even today, an MP had carried out such an act today. In those cases, journalists will be protected. However, defamation will be an accountable offense,” he said.
Nihan added that he had conducted extensive discussions with the media council on the bill, noting the bill is designed not to obstruct but to ensure accountability and ethics in the field.
Home Minister Umar Naseer had recently said the government had no intention of curtailing media freedom. He also said the Government will take action if false or libelous claims are made.
President assured solution to journalists concerns: Nihan
