The government has restored access to "Dhiyavaru.com" and "Kurusee.com" a week after blocking the anti-government websites.
The two websites have been inaccessible since Thursday night last week. On the following Friday, the government blocked the site of a registered news outlet called "Furathama" without disclosing any details or reasons.
The government faced criticism from the public and NGOs over the apparent obstruction of freedom of expression. But the government's secret policies have not been revealed to date.
Both websites were accessible as of today and Furathama was unblocked on December 22.
No details about blocking the websites were disclosed at a press conference held at the President's Office today. Repeated questions from journalists went unanswered.
Spokesman Mohamed Shaheeb defended the government by repeatedly denying the blocking of a registered news site.
"Blocking websites was done by the previous government as well. It wasn't because something new happened. Websites had been shut down as well. This government will also continue to regularly do within the system what has been done for national security and public safety," he said.
Defending the blocking of websites, Shaheeb said the Maldives was also a state and that matters of state would be carried out in accordance with certain rules.
"The government has not shut down any website that was registered. 'Websites are being blocked for criticizing the government.' Are there only two websites that criticize the government? Doesn't all the registered media have freedom very transparently?" he asked.
After President Muizzu took the oath of office, both websites published articles that criticized him and levelled various allegations against the new administration. Both websites are now accessible without a VPN. The government has not stated the reason for unblocking the sites. But the decision is expected to have been taken because of criticism and pressure that the government faced.
Three companies provide internet services in the Maldives. Access to specific websites is blocked to their customers on the orders of the Communication Authority of Maldives (CAM), which is currently an agency that operates under the Ministry of Local Government, Cities and Public Works.
Therefore, it is certain that the sites were blocked with the government's knowledge. But the spokesman denied any orders to do so by the President's Office or President Muizzu.
