Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu signed a controversial media bill into law on Thursday, giving a new government-backed commission broader power to fine media outlets and even shut them down.

In its press release, the President’s Office maintained that the new law “seeks to prevent the spread of false information” and “establish a framework that upholds both the rights and responsibilities of journalists.” The Act dissolves the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission and creates a new body, called the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

In the wake of the ratification, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has vowed to “initiate legal proceedings” and “[e]ncourage boycotting the election of commissioners under the Act,” according to a statemen

See Full Page