President Muizzu's decision to provide financial assistance to local media outlets through state budget is a direct warning to journalists: Didi

Former MDP President Ibrahim Didi has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's decision to provide financial assistance to local media outlets through the state budget should not be viewed as support for journalists, but rather as a warning to them.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Didi stated that the President’s remarks during the official Independence Day ceremony suggest that the purpose of allocating a state budget for the media is to place journalists on his "payroll." He further noted that this is an indirect attempt to pressure the media into reporting news exactly as the government desires. Didi emphasized that since the media is the fourth pillar of the state, the support it requires should not be treated as a personal favor granted by the President.

Furthermore, Didi expressed concern regarding the President's conduct when responding to questions from journalists. He characterized President Muizzu’s reactions during live broadcasts as akin to a judge delivering an immediate verdict and taking summary action. Didi further stated that this poses a significant threat to media freedom and has created a climate of fear among journalists.

In fact, we have witnessed instances where certain journalists, after asking a single question, would proceed to pass judgment on live media as if they had assumed the role of a judge. The Maldivian people have seen very clearly how such individuals were then taken to prison cells the very next day.

Dr. Ibrahim Didi

Despite President Muizzu’s assertions that press freedom is fully guaranteed and that journalists can report without fear or restriction, his administration has established a "control" commission titled the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. This body is empowered to penalize news outlets with fines of up to MVR 100,000, suspend content, and impose individual fines on journalists. Furthermore, the commission has been granted full authority to determine the veracity of news, effectively acting as the sole arbiter of what constitutes truth or misinformation.

Furthermore, it was under the current administration that the police raided the offices of Adhadhu news over its published content and seized the computer systems used by the outlet. Additionally, Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahuzan was removed from the President's Office following a question he posed to President Muizzu during a press conference; he was subsequently imprisoned for 15 days in connection with that inquiry. Similarly, Leevan Ali Nasir, another journalist from the same outlet, was jailed for 10 days over an article he authored.