Media freedom issue raised with Committee for Independent Institutions

Opposition party – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi) has raised the issue of media freedom to People’s Majlis Committee for Independent Institutions.

Inthi sent a letter to Fonadhoo MP Ali Saleem – who heads Committee for Independent Institutions – in which he said that media was the largest pillar of democracy, but that constrictions on media freedom by government were pre-meditated and deliberate.

He accused the government of using their majority power in People’s Majlis, political influence and judges to control the media and keep journalists in a state of fear.

Inthi also wrote about the protest by journalists on Sunday, and about police arresting 16 of the protesting journalists.

He said that investigative authorities need to be vigilant in probing into how journalists are being treated, so that democratic values are upheld.

He expressed fear that media could be completely robbed of the freedom of expression and freedom of speech. And requested that such issues be looked into by the Committee.