President respects the importance of free media: IFJ

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has commended the ratification of the Right to Information Act by President Abdulla Yameen and has stated that it signals his respect for the importance of a free and independent media in the Maldives.

In a statement on Friday, Director of IFJ Asia-Pacific Jacqueline Park also said the ratification stands as an important step forward for good governance and transparent access to information for journalists in the Maldives.

Local journalists' advocacy NGO, Maldives Journalist Association (MJA), in a statement on 31 December 2013, also praised the ratification of the RTI Act and thanked President Yameen for its ratification. The association described it is an important step against corruption in the Maldives.