After dodging media for months, Pres. says he’ll meet journalists, God willing
Several government ministries have also lied about holding "regular" press briefings
A press conference held by the president on 05/12/2023
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who has been avoiding journalists for months, has finally said he will meet with journalists.
Speaking on a podcast where the president answers questions of his choice, he said that sharing information is something he gives special priority to, and that he has decided to meet with journalists on May 3.
The president has invited journalists to prepare for the press conference he will hold on May 3, saying that any kind of question can be posed, and to start preparing for it from now.
The president last met with journalists on 5 December 2023. It has been one year and four months since the president last faced journalists. The president has been avoiding press for an extended period of time now. In addition to this, while the President's Office and the government spokesperson do not answer questions from journalists, ministries and multiple other government entities have met with journalists only about 22 times so far.
Further, the president has said that he is ready to participate in a program conducted by a TV station and answer questions if invited by a TV station.
The president said that the goal is to deliver results, and therefore he spends a lot of time working. However, he said that as time permits, he will allocate time for matters related to sharing information, and in the future, he will also give time directly to journalists.
While the President's Office has said that sharing information closely with the people and listening to people's opinions and concerns is something the president gives special attention to and continues to do, the government has gone to court to withhold information from RTI requests. While questions go unanswered, several government ministries have also lied about holding regular press briefings.
