Maldives

  • 13 Feb 2016
    Hussain Fariyaz

    Country Maldives  State Male  Violation Type Arrest/Detainment  Target Journalist

    On Sunday, February 13, Hussain Fariyaz, a sports journalist for the opposition-aligned Rajje TV, was arrested when plain clothed police officers entered the Rajje TV newsroom. Fariyaz was arrested without a court warrant and detained for two hours. When he was released, police reportedly admitted to making a mistake with his arrest. Photos of the arrest show Fariyaz’s clothes ripped, while he is being manhandled and pushed into the police vehicle. Raajje TV claimed that Fariyaz was arrested for taking a photo of a police officer taking a bottle of alcohol during a raid. However the police said in a statement that Fariyaz had tried to ‘flee’ from officers when he was asked to show a media pass. He was arrested for ‘disobeying orders’.

  • 15 Oct 2015
    Addu Live

    Country Maldives  State Male  Violation Type Threat  Target Media House

    On October 15, Addu Live, a news website operating out of the southern Maldives, Addu City, was hacked while the offices received threatening phone calls. The threatening calls, which Addu Live allege come from acquitted suspects from the criminal courts, often demand the outlet take down reports on corruption of judges and articles critical of the government. Hassan Zaheen said that the website was hacked after it started reporting on the beginning of the presidential impeachment. Within three hours of the report going live, Addu Live received a call from an overseas number threatening to attack the website if the report is not removed. Zaheen said they refused to remove the article. The website was down for over a week. Journalists from Addu Live have also been receiving threats for over two months. According to Zaheen, the organisation’s journalists are regularly intimidated and threatened with assault for their reporting, while the founder of Addu Live is also regularly threatened.

  • 27 Mar 2015
    Maldives Public Service Broadcasting

    Country Maldives  State Male  Violation Type Media Regulations  Target Media House

    On April 27, the Public Service Media (PSM) Bill was tabled in the Maldives Parliament and passed with 41 votes in favor, and four votes against it. The new Act was then ratified by President Abdulla Yameen which dissolves the Maldivian Broadcasting Corporation. The President also proposed a seven person governing board.