Parliament Secretary General Fathimath Niusha is facing public outrage after comments she made about journalists were accidentally live-streamed on Parliament’s YouTube channel.

In the leaked audio — later removed — Niusha accused journalists of trying to “create a scene” inside Parliament, while instructing staff not to live-stream a committee meeting with members of the press.

Her remarks have drawn sharp criticism, especially as journalists had staged only a silent protest in the media gallery, covering their mouths in opposition to the proposed Media Regulatory Bill.

The comments have fueled anger online, with critics saying Niusha’s words reveal contempt for the press. Some have also revived allegations of corruption and nepotism against her, previously raised in a parliamentary report based on testimony from the former Sergeant-at-Arms.

The backlash comes as Parliament continues debate on the controversial Media Regulatory Bill, which journalists warn could severely undermine press freedom in the Maldives.