The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate in the Maldives, the Maldives Journalist Association (MJA), have condemned the recent Police action against local journalists covering 'IndiaOut' protests held in Male'.
This comes after the media reported that a police officer had threatened and harassed journalists and media workers during their coverage of an ‘India Out’ protest held on May 18.
Local media officials have condemned the harassment and threats against the reporters and urged authorities to investigate the matter.
IFJ had joined them in this call and had said in a statement that harassment and threats to journalists in the field contravene the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Maldives’ constitution.
It further said that journalists must be allowed to operate in the field without fear of attack or persecution
IFJ then urged the Maldivian government to act swiftly to investigate the case and arrest the perpetrators.
It also said that IFJ’s South Asia Press Freedom Report 2021-22, recorded just two media rights violations in the Maldives from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022, but noted a legacy of interference in media regulators and a history of impunity for crimes against journalists.
