Police Urge Journalists to Wear Correct Credentials to Cover Protests
Protesters from “Dhuleh Nukuraanan” protests holding up posters in serial protests held in Male’ in April 2025 | Photo: MV+
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has urged journalists covering protests to ensure they carry official press credentials issued by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom), in line with the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act.
The appeal follows an incident last night, when journalists were denied access to a youth protest after presenting press passes from their respective news organisations instead of Broadcom-accredited credentials.
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According to the police, this message was sent to address the difficulties some journalists have been experiencing in accessing places closed by the police while they are on the scene, covering them. Police have urged all journalists to obtain their accredited press passes from Broadcom as soon as possible.
Until Broadcom issues the official cards, police will accept press passes issued by journalists’ news organisations—but only until Thursday, May 15. When covering protests, journalists must wear these cards visibly at all times. The accreditation cards must also be valid and unexpired.
Police emphasised that journalists should avoid interfering with operations at the scene.
“When these guidelines are followed, we believe the journalists’ work can proceed smoothly, and they can carry out their duty safely. And the relationship between journalists and the police will strengthen, and the work done by both parties will flourish,” the police said.
