The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has requested the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Control Commission) to disclose information regarding the individual to be designated by law to be present when police search computer data containing information related to a legally regulated profession.
In a letter sent to the Commission today, the MJA noted that under the law, police may only access computer data belonging to individuals working in a regulated profession in the presence of a representative appointed by the relevant regulatory body.
The MJA has requested the Commission to provide details of the person appointed to represent the journalism profession as mandated by law, as well as the date this information was shared with the police.
The MJA’s letter cites Section 74.4(e) of the Criminal Procedure Act and Section 2-155(b) of the Regulation on Police Procedures for Investigating Criminal Offenses.
Section 74.4(e) of the Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that computer data belonging to members of professions regulated by specific bodies—such as journalism, law, and medicine—can only be searched in the presence of a representative designated by the respective professional regulatory authority.
This requirement is further reinforced by Section 155-2(b) of the Regulation on Police Procedures for Investigating Criminal Offenses. Additionally, Section 2-155(i) of the regulation requires professional regulatory bodies to appoint their representatives and provide their contact numbers and email addresses to the police within three months of the regulation coming into effect.
The MJA has requested that this information be provided by 2:00 pm Thursday.
The request for information regarding the Commission’s designated representative comes after police raided the Adhadhu office on Monday night, seizing numerous electronic devices, including laptops and computers used by journalists.
Police stated the raid on Adhadhu was conducted to gather evidence for an investigation into the documentary "Aisha," which was published on the news outlet’s social media platforms on March 28.
In the documentary, a former employee of the President’s Office made serious allegations regarding a personal relationship with President Mohamed Muizzu. Police raided the Adhadhu office, confiscated the passports of its senior management, and summoned them for questioning.
