Pres. vows investigation but stops short of condemning Falah’s shocking threat against journalists

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to investigate remarks made in the People’s Majlis by Ibrahim Falah, the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader and MP for Inguraidhoo constituency, in which he incited violence against journalists.

During an extraordinary parliamentary sitting held on August 27, discussing the media control bill, Falah stated that it was a significant bill and did not hinder any media workers. He also called on all PNC lawmakers to vote for the bill. Falah claimed that he had suffered greatly due to false news spread by journalists. He emphasized being labeled as homosexual in media reports, which he said was slanderous fake news that affected his family as well.

MP Falah invoked a brutal method of torture and execution historically practiced, a phrase that carries violent, chilling connotations. In his speech, Falah suggested that this method “needs to be done” to journalists, instead of jailing them. Many interpret this as a call for the execution of journalists.

In response to persistent questioning from journalists during a protest outside the President’s Office on Thursday, the president pledged to probe the statement.

The protest, led by media professionals, was held in opposition to the proposed media control bill, which has sparked widespread concern over press freedom in the Maldives.

When asked repeatedly whether he condemned Falah’s comments, Muizzu replied only, :that cannot be said,” offering no further clarification. Although he confirmed that the issue would be investigated, he stopped short of directly denouncing the lawmaker’s threatening language.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has since filed an official complaint with police, stating that Falah's remarks, made during Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting, pose a threat to press freedom and contradict the principles of Islam, which uphold non-violence and the dignity of all individuals.

In a statement released Thursday, MJA emphasized that Falah’s comments were not only irresponsible but also dangerous in a democratic society, particularly amid growing concerns over government efforts to curtail media independence.

As pressure mounts, the president’s reluctance to publicly condemn the statement has drawn criticism from civil society groups and press freedom advocates, who argue that silence in the face of threats only emboldens those who seek to intimidate the media.