Maldives Drops in 2026 Press Freedom Index Amid Media Crackdown Concerns

The Maldives has fallen four places in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which cited mounting pressure on independent media, controversial legislation and recent police action against journalists.

RSF said a key factor behind the decline is a disputed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, adopted without consultation with media professionals during an extraordinary parliamentary session in August, 2025. Upon implementation, the bill merged the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission into a new body with sweeping powers, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting commission, raising concerns over its independence and the risk of disproportionate sanctions on media outlets.

Journalists have also faced intimidation. On the day the bill was passed, members of the Maldives Journalists Association protested outside key state institutions, describing the legislation as a “serious threat” to press freedom. Police briefly detained at least three journalists during the protest, while RSF also highlighted inflammatory remarks by a senior lawmaker who called for media workers to be “impaled.”

Concerns have intensified locally following a recent police raid on Adhadhu News after it published a documentary featuring allegations by an anonymous woman against President Mohamed Muizzu. Authorities seized laptops, hard drives and other equipment, while Adhadhu’s Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed and CEO Hussain Fiyaz were subjected to travel bans and passport confiscations.

In addition, the government has moved to pursue a Qadhf case against the outlet—an unprecedented legal action against a media organisation—further heightening fears over press freedom in the country. Adhadhu CEO and managing editor was summoned to the police yesterday morning, according to media reports, and 5 charges were brought against the two. 

The watchdog further noted a broader deterioration in global press freedom, with the average score reaching a historic low. For the first time in 25 years, more than half of all countries fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories, with the legal environment for journalism seeing the sharpest decline.