3rd MAY 2007

World Press Freedom Day Marked by Women in the Maldives

A demonstration held today, on World Press Freedom Day, by a group of women from the media and opposition, outside the World Press Freedom Day conference in Male’, hosted by the Ministry of Information, was cut short when truckload of police took away their banners and forcefully stopped the demonstration.

Inside the conference hall, the journalists from independent media; Minivan Radio, Minivan Daily and E-Sandhaanu held placards to protest against the Government of Maldives boycotting them and the latest police harassment of journalists.  When President Gayoom held his speech, these journalists walked out in protest.

During the event, Minister Nasheed announced all charges against Minivan Daily Editor Aminath Najeeb and sub-editor Nazim Sattar to be dropped. Although FOM welcomes the news, concerns remain at the current state of media law. There is very little protection of journalists who are still at risk of politically motivated trials. Minister Nasheed choosing to take political advantage of the situation by informing the international delegates without consulting the victims of the persecution was ethically questionable.

As a consequence, the event held today seems rather like a publicity stunt for the Government of Maldives, and an attempt to whitewash lack of real progress on the media reforms.  The lack of progress is highlighted in a statement by the International Press Freedom Mission: “Although there has been some progress on securing media freedom during the past year, the government has failed to meet its own deadlines for creating an environment in which freedom of expression can flourish and, in many instances, it has not lived up to international standards.”

Intimidation and harassment of journalists are multiplying. No later than last week, a reporter from the state newspaper Miadhu, a reporter for E-Sandhaanu and a photographer for Minivan Daily were arrested while covering events in Male’.

The police choose to continue to bury their heads in the sand by boycotting independent media outlets, and therefore failing to address legitimate public concerns that they are the private militia of President Gayoom.

FOM calls on the Government of Maldives to bring about true media reforms, and hope the next World Press Freedom Day 2008 will be celebrated by all Maldivian media.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives
E: enquiries@friendsofmaldives.org
W: www.friendsofmaldives.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Friends of Maldives – www.friendsofmaldives.org

Friends of Maldives (FOM) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Maldives. Based in the UK and established in 2003.