Complaint filed with newly established complaint bureau over ban on Adhadhu news from President's Office press briefings
The news outlet Adhadhu has filed a formal complaint with the Citizens' Complaints Bureau after the President's Office failed to provide a written explanation for barring the publication from its press conferences. The outlet contends that the government's refusal to issue an official response is unconstitutional and argues that the lack of documentation is obstructing its efforts to seek justice through international human rights and media freedom organizations.
The President's Office: The Citizens Complaints Bureau has been established within the President's Office. | RaajjeMV
A formal complaint has been lodged with the President’s "Citizens Complaints Bureau" regarding the decision to bar the news outlet Adhadhu and its journalists from attending press conferences organized by the President's Office.
In a letter sent on Thursday to the 24-hour bureau established by President Muizzu on April 16 to address public grievances, the news outlet Adhadhu stated that it has yet to receive a response to its formal request for official documentation regarding a decision made by the President's Office.
According to the news outlet, the President's Office's decision to withhold the official documentation of its ruling is a clear violation of Article 43 of the Constitution. That constitutional provision guarantees the right to fair and just administrative action.
According to the article, every Maldivian citizen has the right to fair and expeditious administrative action. Furthermore, if an individual's rights are adversely affected by an administrative measure, they are entitled to receive a written explanation detailing the reasons for that action. Additionally, the article stipulates that any person whose rights have been infringed upon by such a measure maintains the right to seek redress through the courts.
The news outlet Adhadhu stated its intention to petition international organizations to prove that the President's Office's actions were unjust. However, the publication noted that the lack of official documentation has created significant obstacles in its pursuit of justice. Consequently, in a letter submitted to the Grievance Bureau, the outlet requested an immediate response to its previous correspondence dated May 18. The letter also called for an investigation into the delays regarding the lack of a timely response.
The issue originated during a press conference organized by the President's Office, when Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahuzan questioned President Muizzu regarding allegations made by a former employee of the office. Following this, Shahuzan was removed from a press briefing held on May 11, under the pretext that he had violated a "gag order" issued by the Criminal Court. Subsequently, the President's Office made the decision to bar Adhadhu from attending its press conferences.
The President's Office has decided to suspend press access for Adhadhu journalists until the conclusion of ongoing legal proceedings at the Criminal Court and investigations by the Media and Broadcasting Commission regarding a documentary released by the news outlet.
