MJA and Transparency Maldives Condemns Police Attack on Journalists

Photo: Twitter via @aaaaaidh
The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and Transparency Maldives has condemned following the recent incident involving the Police treatment of journalists covering an opposition gathering at Republican Square last Thursday.
MJA strongly condemn the brutal attack by the @PoliceMv on the journalists covering today’s opposition gathering at the Republican Square. We urgently call upon the @NIC_Maldives and the Police to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and take necessary measures against the… https://t.co/JU3Q298RP5
— Maldives Journalists Association (@mjamaldives) July 20, 2023
MJA expresses deep concern over the reported brutal attack and calls for an urgent and impartial investigation by the National Integrity Commission and the Police to address the matter promptly.
During the opposition gathering, journalists and media workers faced obstruction from certain officers, which has raised serious questions about press freedom and media safety.
@TransparencyMV condemns the continued obstruction and use of force against journalists covering protests by @PoliceMv.
We call on @NIC_Maldives to investigate the abuse of force by @PoliceMv officers and ensure accountability to safeguard press freedom!— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) July 20, 2023
The MJA emphasised the need for swift action against those responsible for hindering journalists’ work during the event.
Following the incident, Minister of Home Affairs, Imran Abdulla tweeted saying, “when a police officer engages in misconduct, appropriate actions will be taken to address the issue. However, campaigns to discredit the army and police force is unacceptable.”
ސިފައިންގެ ބޭކަލަކަށް ނުވަތަ ފުލުހުންގެ އޮފިސަރަކަށް ގޯސްކޮށް ކަމެއް ކުރެވިއްޖެ ނަމަ އެކަން ބަލާ އަޅަންޖެހޭ ފިޔަވަޅު އެޅޭނެ.
ނަމަވެސް ސިފައިންނާއި ފުލުހުންގެ އަގުވައްޓާލުމަށް ކުރެވޭ މަސްކަތަކީ ބަލައިގަނެވޭނެ ކަމެއް ނޫން.— Imran Abdulla (@ShimranAb) July 21, 2023
In light of this unfortunate incident, the MJA advocated for the establishment of a comprehensive national framework to safeguard journalists’ rights and ensure their safety while reporting on public events, especially protests and gatherings. Clear and concise guidelines for media coverage of such events are also deemed necessary to avoid further conflicts and protect the integrity of journalistic work, said the organisation.
MJA and Transparency Maldives urged all relevant authorities to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness it deserves and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.