Maldives slides on press freedom index
Based on developments during the past year, RSF said the government continues to “persecute the independent media” after a new law criminalised defamation and allowed the authorities to shut down media outlets.
27 Apr 2017, 9:00 AM
The Maldives has fallen five places in the France-based Reporters Without Borders’ annual press freedom index after a new law criminalised defamation and allowed the authorities to shut down media outlets.
The Maldives is now ranked 117 out of 180 countries, down from 112 the previous year.
Based on developments during the past year, RSF said the government continues to “persecute the independent media” and that many journalist have been the target of death threats from political parties, criminal gangs and religious extremists.
“This poisonous climate reinforces self-censorship,” the organisation observed.
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