As the world marks Press Freedom Day, Abdulla Shahid, President of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has accused the current administration of choosing to intimidate journalists rather than upholding accountability.
In a post on X today, Shahid described the Maldives' ranking of 106th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index as a "shameful" position.
" From restrictive media laws to police action against newsrooms, this administration has chosen fear over accountability," he wrote.
Shahid, who previously served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly, called for an immediate end to government-led harassment and the criminal prosecution of journalists. He further reaffirmed his unwavering solidarity with the press.
The past year has seen efforts by the government to obstruct press freedom. Notably, a legal framework has been established to control the media through the passage of legislation creating a regulatory commission with the power to shut down media outlets.
Furthermore, President Mohamed Muizzu personally contacted Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, the CEO of Adhadhu, threatening harsh measures against him and his team of journalists.
In addition to targeting Adhadhu, several other Maldivian journalists received death threats over the past year. Social media campaigns aimed at defaming and intimidating journalists have also been orchestrated at the government's behest, with political appointees actively participating in these efforts.
A year after the Muizzu's direct threat to Fiyaz, police conducted a raid on the Adhadhu office on the night of April 27, 2025. During the operation, authorities seized electronic equipment.
