International Federation of Journalists calls to investigate arson attack on Raajje TV

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called upon Maldivian authorities to thoroughly investigate the arson attack on the Queen of the Night building housing local television station Raajje TV.

In a statement released on Wednesday, IFJ Asia Pacific condemned the attack and called on the authorities to determine whether the attack had a political motive.

“We also fully endorse the MJA’s (Maldives Journalist Association) call to all media organisations to refrain from broadcasting grossly partisan messages that encourage unrest and promote lawless behavior,” the IFJ Asia Pacific statement read.

Raajje TV was set on fire around dawn on Monday by arsonists who assaulted the building’s security guard and broke into the station. The station resumed their broadcast after a 10-hour disruption, at 12:40 p.m. Monday afternoon.