President: Reporters need to protect dignity of others when they demand their own

President Abdulla Yameen said on Tuesday that reporters needed to be ready to protect the dignity of others, same way they demand their own.

Speaking during ceremony held to mark completion of Dh. Meedhoo Land Reclamation Project, Yameen said that journalism needed to be carried out responsibly.

He said that the government had not placed any restrictions on media, but that defamation – by hand of reporters or anyone else was not acceptable.

“The only thing being done through journalism is defamation. I do not believe it right to publish news however they want – either in newspapers, online websites or telecast it via TV or any other medium without any chance being given to the defamed individual to respond to the allegations – in such a small-knit society such as Maldives who need to follow Islamic principles,” said Yameen.

Yameen sent greetings to all Maldivian reporters on occasion of World Press Freedom Day, and said that all reporters were welcome to do their work within the freedom provided to them.

He said that he had no problem if reporters published articles “crisscross” or “east to west” regarding any state institution or regarding him – personally.

“But no one should irresponsibly defame another individual. I cannot accept that,” said Yameen.