The partnership between Fiqh Academy and the interim Committee to review the Bill on Defamation had failed to yield the desired results.
The debate on the Defamation Bill is very clear. There is no person, party or civil society body that disagrees that defamation was a serious issue in the country. While defamation is a punishable offense in Islam, no journalist or media house is ready to yield that power.
The issue with the Defamation bill on what constituted as defamation and the limitations of the bill, especially when corrupt individuals can hamper the flow of journalism. The concerns of journalists are tied to this issue, when key issues will take a back seat over defamation.
Four members of the Fiqh Academy were summoned to clarify their perspective on the Bill. The members of the Academy had failed to brief on the key issues, including that of journalists.
Though Members of Parliament regularly spit out libelous and false claims they are exempt from any penalties. Similarly, those who regularly practiced corruption is also exempt from this. Revelations and identities are kept secret.
In the event, police conducted an investigation into a corruption or theft case, they are barred from releasing any information for fear of retribution and obstructing their duties. Such a bill should first protect Police. The bill will grant additional rights to the media. In the event media does not get the require information, they can get them from the Police.
This is the practice used in most of the developed nations, naming the individual implicated in the matter, especially to protect the public. however, in the Maldives, the rights of the criminal are placed first. Even in the event the implicated individual is not guilty, he has the right to defend himself.
Fiqh Academy, Committee partnership fails to yield results!
