A group of Sri Lankan media professionals and social activists staged a demonstration outside the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo today, expressing solidarity with journalists in the Maldives following the passage of a controversial media regulation bill.
The bill, described by critics as a threat to press freedom, was passed in a special parliamentary session in Malé on Sept. 16 despite protests by journalists, opposition lawmakers and members of the public outside the legislature.
During the demonstration in Colombo, the Sri Lankan group handed over a letter to Maldivian envoys, urging the government in Malé to safeguard freedom of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices.
Media organizations, opposition parties and rights groups in the Maldives have warned that the legislation could undermine press freedoms. (Newswire)
