Home Minister Umar Naseer has claimed that Maldives ranked highest when it came to media freedoms.
Minister Umar said that there were no issues or reports that are unreported by the local media and that this itself was credence to the free media in the country.
Speaking with regards to the protests led by journalists Minister Umar said that the journalists protested not for the lack of freedom but as a PR campaign to defame the nation in front of the CMAG and international parties. He added that this was not deeply concerning to the Government.
Minister Umar noted that if the journalists protested in green and banned zones, they will be stopped and if the need arises, arrested.
The journalists initially gathered in front of the Media Council, moving to the President’s Office later on. Police pushed protestors and used pepper spray to drive them out of the area. Some journalists were reportedly injured in the process.
Protesting journalists voiced concerns over the preliminary injunction against the largest and the oldest media outlet Haveeru and authorities’ failure to provide concrete information regarding the investigation into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan.
Journalists were also expressing concerns about the defamation and right to freedom of expression bill, which many believe would greatly narrow right to freemen of expression granted by the constitution.