Press Freedom
Police interrogates Mihaaru editor after complaints by judiciary
Echoing the criminal court’s threat of legal action against journalists, the broadcasting regulator has also accused some media outlets of “spreading falsehoods and slander that encourages terrorism, tarnishes the country’s good name internationally, and strains the Maldivian state’s diplomatic relations”.
21 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM
Criminal court threatens to take action against journalists
The criminal court has threatened to take “legal action” against journalists who “encourage terrorism” and threaten the peace, stability and sovereignty of the Maldivian state.
19 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM
Raajje TV cameraman fined US$195 for obstructing police
Following the guilty verdicts and US$1,800 fines handed to Raajje TV journalists Mohamed Wisam and Leevan Ali Nasir last month, Adam Zareer becomes only the third journalist to be convicted in the Maldives in more than a decade.
27 Feb 2017, 9:00 AM
Rilwan’s family goes to court for truth behind disappearance
The family filed a right to information request at the civil court asking its intervention to find out “the available facts of the events” that followed Rilwan’s abduction on August 8, 2014.
07 Feb 2017, 9:00 AM
CPJ urges Maldives to drop charges against Raajje TV journalists
“Raajje TV journalists Mohamed Wisam, Leevan Ali Naseer and Adam Zareer are guilty of nothing more than covering events of significant public interest,” the CPJ said.
21 Jan 2017, 9:00 AM
‘Even if I were to go to jail, I will come back as a journalist’: Journalists at risk in their own words
Three Raajje TV journalists, on trial for obstructing police officers, share their thoughts on journalism and describe why they continue to report despite the risk of jail.
16 Jan 2017, 9:00 AM
Court hears closing arguments in case against Raajje TV journalists
A verdict will be delivered on December 19, the court said. Prosecutors reiterated that Wisam and Leevan had tackled a police officer to prevent him from making an arrest.
24 Nov 2016, 9:00 AM
After forced shutdown, CNM team returns with new site
Four months after Channel News Maldives shut down citing pressure from the government, the hard-hitting team of journalists behind the popular online paper have made a comeback as the Voice of Free Press.
20 Oct 2016, 9:00 AM
Witnesses testify in trial of Raajje TV journalists
The criminal court heard both prosecution and defence witnesses Tuesday night in the trial of opposition-aligned Raajje TV journalists Mohamed Wisam and Leevan Ali Naseer on charges of obstructing police officers.
28 Sep 2016, 9:00 AM
How the defamation law has changed Maldives’ media landscape
The new defamation law has forced newsrooms across the Maldives to practice self censorship, use broadcasting delays and control what is said by politicians on talk shows
24 Aug 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives ‘rejects’ international criticism of defamation bill
The defamation bill “does not seek to criminalise free speech,” the government insists, claiming that it would “provide a layer of protection for those who may fall victim to scurrilous and defamatory articles and to ensure that such comment does not impact upon issues of religious sentiment or national security.”
02 Aug 2016, 9:00 AM
Defamation bill on Majlis agenda as free speech campaign gains momentum
A group of journalists launched a campaign last week to raise awareness about the dangers posed by the proposed law, warning that it would spell the end of a free press as well as freedom of expression in the Maldives.
31 Jul 2016, 9:00 AM
Police block journalists’ silent protest
Specialist Operations police officers blocked a protest march staged by journalists against a defamation bill currently before parliament. The journalists were told they would not be allowed to protest in the streets of Malé while carrying banners and placards.
28 Jul 2016, 9:00 AM
Press freedom concerns unaddressed in revised defamation bill
A revised bill on criminalising defamation and imposing severe restrictions on free speech was introduced to parliament last Tuesday without addressing concerns raised by Maldivian journalists.
24 Jul 2016, 9:00 AM
Critical news website closes citing unrelenting political pressure
CNM, a popular news website critical of the Maldives government, has been forced shut after it exposed the first lady’s misuse of state resources.
25 Jun 2016, 9:00 AM
Journalists will not be charged over president’s office protest
Ismail Ali, the police spokesman, said: “The cases have not been sent for prosecution, and all of the individuals who were arrested have been summoned to the police station and issued an official warning, advising them to comply with laws and regulations.”
09 May 2016, 9:00 AM
Judge questions charges against senior Raajje TV journalist
Fiyaz was accused of assaulting a police officer while reporting on the military’s attempts to defuse a bomb on November 2 last year, but he was charged with touching an individual without his consent – a class four misdemeanor.
02 May 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives remains ‘very hostile for independent and opposition media’
The Maldives remains “very hostile for independent and opposition media” since the February 2012 “coup d’état,” reads the Reporters Without Borders’ 2016 press freedom index entry on the Maldives. “In a state of emergency and ‘national security’ climate, the media continue to be subjected to police brutality and government obstruction,” RSF observed.
21 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Five months after raid, police return some of Sangu TV equipment
The police have returned seven out of 33 pieces of broadcasting equipment confiscated from Sangu TV during a raid of the privately-owned station’s offices in Malé more than five months ago.
17 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Second trial begins for Raajje TV journalists
The second trial against opposition aligned Raajje TV journalists began at the criminal court today, with reporters Mohamed Wisam and Adam Zareer pleading not guilty today to charges of obstructing police officers
17 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
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