Several Maldivian media outlets observed a 12-hour blackout today to protest the government’s escalating crackdown on investigative journalism, following the sentencing of two journalists to prison for the first time in the country’s democratic history.
The participating media organizations completely suspended news coverage from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm today.
The Muizzu administration has been accused of systematic efforts to control the press. Media outlets that report unfavorably on the government face increasing financial and legal pressures.
Independent journalism is being stifled through the introduction of a restrictive media control law and the establishment of a control commission. The state media has been "hijacked" by the government, facing a level of unprecedented political influence.
Last week, the Criminal Court issued a sweeping "gag order" prohibiting the public from discussing "Aisha," a documentary released by Adhadhu. The documentary features a former President’s Office employee making serious sexual misconduct allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu—claims which he has denied. The order was issued the night before Muizzu was scheduled to hold a press conference.
During that press conference, Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahzan questioned Muizzu regarding alleged late-night calls made to a staff member via the Signal messaging app. Officials claimed he had violated the court’s gag order, cut off his microphone and was forcibly removed from President's Office.
The same day, the court initiated contempt of court proceedings against Shahzan. Adhadhu journalist Leevan Ali Naseer was also charged with contempt for an article he wrote reporting on the gag order.
Following the incident, the President’s Office announced that Adhadhu and its journalists would be barred from all future press briefings organized by the government. Military personnel at the Office also seized and searched Raajje TV journalist Shaihan Zareer's phone, accusing him of filming during the briefing.
In a swift legal process the following day, the Criminal Court sentenced both Leevan and Shahzan to prison. Despite repeated requests for adequate time to appoint legal counsel, the judges granted them only two hours to prepare.
Leevan was sentenced to 10 days in prison for his reporting, while Shahzan received a 15-day sentence for questioning the President. Both are currently serving their sentences at Maafushi Prison.
In response to this direct assault on press freedom and the right to free expression, three former presidents—Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—have announced they will work together to challenge the government’s actions.
