President Mohamed Muizzu has attacked the free press in his speech at the official ceremony to mark this year's National Day.
Muizzu described freedom of expression as saying "whatever comes to your mind" amid a bill to control the press with hefty fines and suspensions.
"You all are in this hall. Let me say something about this as an example. One of you can stand up and declare that there is a bomb here... Is that freedom? Then what about other people's rights?"
As a general rule, it is a security risk to declare the existence of a bomb, even as a joke or as an example. Such issues are investigated as a serious matter and has no connection with press freedom or freedom or expression.
If such a threat is made, the security services must arrest the person and search the premises to ensure that there is no such threat. Some social media users have expressed concern about Muizzu's remark.
Speaking today, Muizzu said people must accept that everyone has honor and dignity.
"None of us has the right to invade the dignity, reputation and honor of another person. None of us has the right to speak whatever comes to our minds, to write whatever comes to our minds," he warned.
The government is planning to dismantle the free press through a bill proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru last week.
Local journalists and international organisations have denounced these plans and called on the government to withdraw the bill.
