Bill to Protect Reputation Tabled in Parliament, Proposes Compensation Up to MVR 500,000 for Social Media Defamation

A new bill aimed at protecting individual reputation, including provisions for filing defamation claims and seeking compensation of up to MVR 500,000 for posts shared on social media, has been submitted to the People's Majlis. The government introduced the bill through Mohamed Ismail, the Member of Parliament for Vilimalé constituency. The legislation outlines a range of acts that would be considered as damaging a person's reputation. According to the bill, a defamation claim can be filed against anyone who publishes material on social media that harms another person's reputation, as well as against those who circulate such content. The bill stipulates that if a court finds that the complaining party has suffered harm due to reputational damage and requests compensation, the court must award it. Specifically, a person filing a defamation claim may receive compensation of between MVR 50,000 and MVR 500,000 for material damages. The bill also states that defamation claims can be based on spoken words, displayed photos, or drawings. Furthermore, claims can arise from items designed to describe a specific individual, or through films or performances depicting them. The bill also allows for defamation claims when gestures or actions by an individual create an impression that damages another party's reputation, even if done unintentionally or inadvertently. However, a defamation claim can only be filed if the act described as damaging reputation is proven to be false and completely devoid of truth.