Maldives Media Council (MMC) says that journalism in the country faces great challenges and influences, and appealed all media institutions in the country to work in unity to bring a solution to the problems at hand.
Speaking on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, President of MMC Mohamed Asif said that regardless the challenges that journalism faces, the opportunity to work responsibly is still there.
Asif noted that there were several issues that the MMC is concerned over, regarding the issues that journalists face. On that note, he stressed that they were holding discussions with relevant authorities in a bid to make full use of the power granted to the MMC, to bring about a good change for journalists.
He also noted that the MMC is very concerned over the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan - who has been missing for almost a year now - as they face the World Press Freedom Day.
"My request to all is to work together in a way which weakens the influences journalism in the country faces. I am not directly calling any influences though, I am saying that there are influences which try to shape journalism in a certain way. I want all to work together to eradicate those influences," Asif said.
Asif - who was appointed as the President of the MMC in 2014 - said that they only had to probe just one case regarding a journalist during the year. However, he noted that some event organizers were bringing small issues which arise at different events to their attention.
"For an example, sometimes police have complained about the conduct of journalists. However, if anyone tries to narrow the freedom and opportunities of the journalists, they will react to it. I think that everyone will react to get back, what is being taken from them. There are issues like that, none which are too serious," Asif added.
Asif, who has over 24 years of experience in broadcast media also stressed that some believe that there are a few stations, silenced by an influence. However, he expressed his beliefs that all of the broadcasters in the country are influenced like that.
Sending warm wishes of the day, Asif also said that he wishes all of the reporters to participate in the ceremony being held tonight to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day.