Media Commission: Prioritizing efforts to improve Maldives’ press freedom ranking

Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) on Sunday affirmed that it is prioritizing efforts to improve the Maldives’ ranking in the global Press Freedom Index while strengthening the country’s media sector.

According to this year’s World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Maldives fell from 104th to 108th place, marking a drop of four ranks compared to last year.

In a statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the MMBC assured it will undertake efforts towards raising Maldives’ ranking in the press freedom index and strengthening the media sector.

The Commission characterized press freedom as both a guiding force for societal progress and a defensive shield for human rights.

"Journalists represent the fourth power, working tirelessly to hold the state accountable and empower the citizens," the statement read.

MMBC further stated that, in efforts to advance the media landscape, a new code of ethics has been developed alongside updated media-related regulations and policy frameworks. The Commisison also emphasized its objective of fostering financially independent and institutionally resilient media organizations. The Commission also called on all stakeholders to adhere strictly to established ethical standards in the dissemination of information.

The Maldives was ranked 87th in 2022, placing it among countries with a satisfactory level of press freedom. However, the country declined to 100th in 2023 and, following a further drop in 2024, is now categorized among nations where the practice of journalism is considered difficult.

RSF identified substantial challenges across multiple indicators in the Maldives:

• Political indicator: declined from 123 to 129.
• Economic indicator: fell significantly from 118 to 157.
• Legal indicator: decreased from 103 to 126.
• Safety indicator: dropped from 56 to 77.

Notably, the Maldives Journalist Association has also presented nine key demands to the government. These include the immediate repeal of the Media Control Act to enable the establishment of a self-regulatory framework, as well as ceasing the criminal investigation into the online news outlet ‘Adhadhu’ in relation to the documentary ‘Aisha’.

In its statement marking World Press Freedom Day, the MJA stressed that the four-place decline in the RSF index reflects an urgent need for decisive measures to safeguard press freedom in the Maldives.