Male, Maldives – Maldives Media Council (MMC) has advised against hindering the work of media, following multiple incidents of disruption of media’s work being reported to the council.
In the statement by MMC, the Council highlighted that it is the legal responsibility of the Council as well as all government offices, institutions and even other offices to ensure that all media and media personnel have the freedom to exercise the duty of media fairly and freely, sighting that any hindrance to the work of media would not be tolerated by the council.
The statement also shed light on recent events which saw journalists having to face major obstacles by authorities in covering the incidents including protests and other such gatherings.
It specifically highlighted the unfair opportunities Maldives Police Service provided to certain media, while excluding others in covering the protests of expatriates in B. Bodufinolhu, as well as complaints received by the council regarding the protests which took place on the 26th of July where journalists were pushed so far away from the area in which the demonstrations were taking place that they were unable to see the happenings of the protests.
MMC cited Act 2013/1 “Freedom of Assembly Act” clause 43, part (e) which states that even the Police cannot hinder the efforts of media in covering a protest. This was followed by a call upon all institutions to organize actions in a way that may not hinder the efforts of media in providing accurate and timely information to the public.
The statement also advised all media and media personnel to ensure that the work done does not in any way go against the Freedom of Assemble Act.
