Malé, Maldives – Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) have published statements following Parliamentary probe behind the report published by local media Mihaaru regarding Speaker Nasheed’s residential security.
MMC stated that the calls from MDP and parliamentary members to reveal the source behind the Mihaaru report on Former Pres. Nasheed’s residential security has come to their attention. MMC stated that the freedom to journalism is a right provided by the Constitution of Maldives and that no authority can force anyone to reveal their informant behind a certain information.
MMC further said that such an investigation would be a step back while the media has been making certain progressions in the press freedom index. They also stated that this will be an obstacle in the promotion of investigative journalism and that they highly condemn any such investigation which goes against the spirit of journalism.
In addition to this, MMC stated that they have contacted the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and MP of Addu North Consistency Mohamed Aslam and has confirmed that neither the journalist or the informant behind the report will be investigated.
The council advised all medias to take caution when reporting such sensitive topics relating to National Security and also ensure that their content does not violate the guidelines of the council. They noted that a meeting will be convened on 2nd June to check whether the content of the Mihaaru report goes against the ruled of MMC.
In addition to MMC, MJA has also released a press statement saying that they are concerned whether the journalist or the informant will be put under fire following the investigation on the report. They also stated that such an investigation would violate the right to freedom of journalism and that they highly condemn any actions which may interfere with the right of news media.
