Vice President urges responsibility and adherence to journalism’s core principles amid documentary controversy

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, on Tuesday, has called for ethical journalism.

In a post on X, he urged people to act responsibly when disseminating information and to continue upholding the core principles of journalism.

The Vice President said ethical journalism ensures the quality and accuracy of information and promotes transparency and accountability. He said journalism must uphold the foundations of democracy.

He warned that when ethical standards are ignored, false information spreads and harmful consequences increase. He also expressed concern that it would create unrest among people who rely on journalists for accurate information.

The Vice President made the remarks amid the controversy surrounding a documentary published by the Adhadhu newspaper.

Ethical journalism must ensure quality information, promote accountability and transparency while upholding the principles of democracy. When ethics are forgone, it creates misinformation, maximizes harm, and can create unrest among people who rely on journalists to report the…

— Hussain Mohamed Latheef (@HucenSembe) April 28, 2026

Police raided the newspaper’s office on Monday evening in connection with the documentary. The passports of CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed have been seized, and both have been ordered to appear before the police.

Senior government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Rasheed (Mundhu) said the government could not comment on a criminal investigation being conducted by the police. However, he said the President did not file any complaint related to the matter.

The government has faced criticism over efforts to regulate the media. A bill was introduced in Parliament on 18 August last year to give the government greater authority over media regulation. The bill was submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, who was aligned with the government at the time.

The government expressed support for the bill. However, journalists raised concerns from the outset. Journalists also protested during the committee stage, saying their concerns had not been addressed.

After the ruling PNC’s supermajority Parliament passed the bill, several journalists called for it not to be ratified. However, on 18 September, the President approved the bill, and a new commission has since been formed under the law.