Parliament has received a bill that would treat defamation as a civil wrong rather than a criminal offence, with courts able to award compensation of up to MVR 500,000.
The Right to Protection of Name and Reputation Bill was introduced by Vilimalé MP Mohamed Ismail on behalf of the government. It defines defamation as the publication of false information that harms a person’s reputation or dignity. The definition covers spoken words, writing, drawings, cartoons, broadcasts, films and online posts, including content shared on social media.
Anyone who shares or circulates defamatory material can also face a claim. The law would apply to individuals, companies, registered media, online news outlets and digital platforms. It would also cover statements made outside the Maldives that affect a Maldivian’s reputation.
Truth is a complete defence. Honest opinions expressed in good faith and based on facts would not count as defamation. Statements made by members of parliament in the chamber or in committees, and accurate reports of court proceedings, would be protected.
A person bringing a claim must first send a written notice giving the other side a chance to withdraw, correct or apologise. Cases must be filed within one year of the alleged incident. Courts would be required to decide them within six months.
Compensation for financial loss would be capped at MVR 500,000. Additional penalties could range from MVR 50,000 to MVR 500,000. Courts could reduce awards where the defendant has apologised or corrected the statement.
The bill aims to balance freedom of expression with the constitutional right to protect one’s name and reputation. It replaces the earlier approach under which defamation was treated as a criminal matter.
The legislation is scheduled for further readings in the People’s Majlis. Opposition figures and media groups have previously raised concerns about the scope of reputation laws in the Maldives, while the government has said the measure protects individuals from false and damaging statements without restricting legitimate reporting or opinion.