HRCM: Reporters calling out for press freedom facing threats

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has said that reporters who raising their voices for press freedom are facing threats and menace in the country.

In a statement released on Tuesday, on occasion of World Press Freedom Day, HRCM said that a free and independent media can only be seen in the country once a safe environment, free of influence is established for reporters to work in. But that reporters who were calling out for press freedom were facing threats and menace.

“State needs to make policies in order to create such an environment,” read the statement.

HRCM said that the right to information was a basic right guaranteed through Article 29 of Maldivian Constitution, and expressed concern that the right was being constricted.

The commission also expressed concern over attacks on reporters and media stations, as well as the abduction of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla – nearly two years ago.

The commission said that government needed to establish a system via which such acts against press can be investigated without any delay, and the perpetrators brought to justice.

They said that the government making policies and decisions which constrain the freedom of expression – a right guaranteed to every Maldivian citizen via Article 27 of the Constitution – was deteriorating press freedom.

HRCM called for all government authorities to take it upon themselves as their responsibility to establish a safe environment for reporters to work in.

The commission noted the work being done by Media Council and Broadcasting Commission for reporters, and asked for more efforts to be put into ensuring press freedom.