A series of incidents revives concern about press freedom
RSF urges the Maldivian authorities and political parties to show full respect for journalists, including those working for media outlets that do not share their views.
Stop prosecuting criminal defamation cases
ARTICLE 19 calls on the Maldivian authorities to abolish the crime of defamation, replacing it with appropriate civil defamation rules.
Annual Report 2008: Maldives
Annual Report 2008: Maldives
Police arrest “Minivan Daily” photographer
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders calls on the police in the capital Malé to explain exactly why they arrested “Minivan Daily” photographer Ibrahim Jauhuree on 30 March 2008 for allegedly “harassing a police officer.” He is reportedly still being held in Malé. His arrest comes two weeks after he told colleagues and superiors that a […]
Freedom of the Press 2007: Maldives
Freedom of the Press 2007: Maldives
Political affairs reporter banned from Parliament
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders calls on the secretary of the Maldives parliament, the People’s Majlis, to rescind a ban on reporter Lushan Saeed of the daily “Miadhu” from entering the parliament building until the end of the year. Saeed, who specialises in parliamentary affairs, was notified of the ban in a letter from the […]
International mission urges amendments to draft press freedom bill
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: Maldives: International Press Freedom Mission Urges Amendments to Draft Press Law The International Press Freedom Mission to the Maldives urges immediate revision of the draft Maldives Bill on Freedom of the Press, currently before parliament, to bring it in line with international standards. “The […]
Photographer released after nine days in prison
(RSF/IFEX) – Ahmed Rifah, a photographer with the opposition “Minivan Daily” newspaper, was freed on 10 June 2007 after being held for nine days. He has not been charged.
“Minivan Daily” photographer arrested when police break up prayer meeting
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders calls on the interior minister to have news photographer Ahmed Rifah of the opposition “Minivan Daily” released. Rifah was arrested as he left an allegedly illegal prayer meeting on 1 June 2007 in a mosque near the capital, Male, during which he took photos of participants. Scuffles broke out during […]
“Minivan Daily” columnist questioned, charges against one of its editors dropped, those against another reduced; “E-Sandhaanu” editor released
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release: MALDIVES: Charge against a journalist dropped, but jail threat looms for another New York, May 3, 2007 – The Maldivian information minister announced today that a criminal charge of “disobedience of an order” against Minivan Daily Deputy Editor Nazim Sattar would be dropped and that charges […]
ARTICLE 19 recommends amendments to draft broadcasting bill to better protect free expression
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 9 March 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release: ARTICLE 19 Analyses Draft Broadcasting Bill ARTICLE 19 today released a Note analysing the Broadcasting Bill recently released by the government of the Maldives. While we very much welcome moves to put in place a legal framework for licensing broadcasters, we […]
Opposition website’s reporter expelled, banned for two years
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned the expulsion of US journalist Phillip Wellman on 19 January 2007 and a decision to ban him from returning to the Maldives for two years on the grounds that his visa was not in order. Wellman works for the office of the news website http://www.Minivannews.com that is located […]
International press freedom mission concerned by lack of progress on democratic reforms
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 4 December 2006 open letter to Information and Arts Minister Mohamed Nasheed from the International Mission for Press Freedom in the Maldives, which includes RSF, ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists and two other organisations: Mr. Mohamed Nasheed Minister of Information and Arts Ministry of Information and Arts […]
Two foreign journalists expelled; cartoonist arrested; editors charged with “disobedience to order”
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the attitude of the Maldivian authorities, who recently expelled two foreign journalists ( including one working for the online newspaper http://www.Minivannews.com ), arrested an opposition cartoonist, and backtracked on plans to end the state’s broadcast media monopoly. “The government should be trying to defuse tension on […]
Writer and leading opposition politician Mohamed Nasheed freed from house arrest
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed, who was freed from house arrest on 21 September 2006. It is expected that the charges against him of terrorism and sedition will be dropped soon. Nasheed was among several members of the newly established […]
Authorities urged not to send journalist Abdullah “Fahala” Saeed back to prison
(RSF/IFEX) – The South Asia Press Commission and Reporters Without Borders has appealed to interior minister Ahmed Thasmeen Ali not to send Abdullah “Fahala” Saeed back to prison at the end of a special leave granted to visit his family in Male, which began on 30 July 2006. Saeed, a journalist with the opposition newspaper […]