Police have confiscated a coffin used by journalists in a symbolic protest to illustrate the state of press freedom in the Maldives, coinciding with today's International Press Freedom Day.
In the latest Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Maldives is ranked 108th out of 180 countries. This marks a decline of four positions compared to the previous year.
A silent protest, organized by the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), took place this afternoon in front of the President's Office. During the demonstration, a coffin was displayed to symbolize the state of press freedom in the country.
As journalists stood behind the coffin with their mouths taped shut, police arrived in a van and seized the prop. Officers were seen struggling to fit the coffin into the police vehicle before departing.
The journalists' association noted that even a symbolic coffin was perceived by the current administration as a threat to national security.
The past year has seen government efforts to obstruct press freedom. Notably, a legal framework has been established to control the media, including the passage of legislation to create a regulatory commission with the power to shut down media outlets.
Furthermore, President Mohamed Muizzu personally contacted Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, the CEO of Adhadhu, issuing threats of severe action against him and the outlet's journalists.
Several other Maldivian journalists received death threats over the past year. Social media campaigns, orchestrated by the government to discredit and intimidate journalists, have also been observed, with political appointees actively participating in these efforts.
A year after the President's initial threat to Fiyaz, police raided the Adhadhu office on the night of April 27 this year. During the raid, electronic equipment was seized and taken into police custody.
Police are currently conducting a major criminal investigation into Fiyaz and Adhadhu’s Editor, Hassan Mohamed.
