Laws need revision to make freedom of expression more responsible: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that existing laws need to be revised in order to make freedom of expression more responsible.

Speaking at a press conference held at President’s Office to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the President said that the expression of any opinion in the name of freedom should be done responsibly, but recently people are being harassed in the name of freedom of expression.

“... It’s impossible even to hold a meeting because of the neighbour’s loudspeakers. This is not exercising one’s right to freedom of expression. These things can be put right by revising the laws and regulations. This has to be done, we have to work on this. I asked an Indian official who recently visited Maldives, about how these things are in India, since India is one of the world’s most free nations. He replied that using loudspeakers is illegal. But among us, it does not matter whether its 1 or 2 in the afternoon, people play loud music as they wish. This is just a small example. There are several similar problems in various areas,” the President said.

He said that revising the laws to make freedom of expression more responsible does not mean that we are taking a backward step in terms of democracy, rather, it would strengthen and complete democracy in our country. He noted that media is also in need of advice, expertise, and monitoring.

The President also said that freedom of expression exists in the Maldives, and that the government will not attempt to obstruct this freedom. He noted that the state media is currently operated by MBC, and that no media is currently controlled by government.

“It is one of the best moves by the current government – this is the first time there is no state newspaper or TV,” the President said.

The President said that he wished to include the announcements published in the government gazette in newspapers. He also said that the government will work towards facilitating training for journalists.

Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) President Hiriga Ahmed Zahir said at the event that the government should be fair in allowing newspapers to publish some announcements published in the gazette. He stressed that this would help the newspapers.

“The newspapers received some kind of incentive for announcements. However it was not implemented and we saw some newspapers going bankrupt. I’m not saying that the gazette should be abolished. But we don’t believe that announcements for hiring employees, or requesting for estimates, should go via the gazette,” Hiriga said.

At today’s event, President Waheed and Vice President Waheeddeen met with journalists and inquired about the challenges faced by them.