CPJ calls on Maldives authorities to stop threatening journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Maldivian authorities to stop threatening and harassing news outlets and allow them to operate freely.

CPJ also noted that Raajje TV has come under threat of closure and cyberattack, respectively, amid an escalating political crisis.

Steven Butler, CPJ's Asia Program Coordinator in Washington DC, said "authorities in the Maldives must immediately stop trying to exert control over the media and access to information," and that "the Maldives should abide by its constitutional commitment to the freedom of speech.

On Monday, President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency for 15 days, which led to soldiers breaking into the Supreme Court and arresting its justices, as well as former President Maumoon Abdul ayoom. This follow Thursday's Supreme Court order to release nine political prisoners and reinstate 12 opposition MPs into parliament.

Raajje TV has been excluded from attending press briefings of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) following the political turmoil after the court order. In a recent ruling press conference, the party's Vice President Abdul Raheem Abdulla called on security forces to shutdown opposition-aligned Raajje TV for "sowing discord."

Police guards were stationed near Raajje TV's office following the threats, but have been absent since Sunday evening.

On Monday, a pro-government rally made calls to burn down the TV station's office, and threw rocks at Raajje TV journalists at the scene.

CPJ also noted that the Maldives Broadcasting Commission on Friday warned media stations they would face closure if they were deemed a threat to national security, incited unrest with false information or endangered the public interest. CPJ said it did not receive an immediate reponse to an email query sent to Ahmedd Arshad Ali, the commission's information officer, and its calls to the President's Office went unanswered.