'Independent press is key to government accountability', says President Solih

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has highlighted the press’ role in keeping his government accountable, having described journalists as holding up a ‘mirror’ to their actions.

At this year’s Maldives Journalism Awards, held Wednesday night, Solih said that any scrutiny from journalists only adds more ‘life’ to his government and that he welcomes it.

“I do not see scrutiny or criticism from journalists as a threat, it gives more life and more resolve. The faults of our administration can be better revealed and addressed as a result of this criticism. The mirror they hold up will reveal what we actually are, I wish every institution and part of my government to support the press”, Solih said.

Solih further said that even if the freedom of the press served to only restrict his capacity on office, he would continue to support, highlighting that that ‘receive and impart information’ is every Maldivian’s constitutional right.

President Solih also spoke on the abduction of journalist Ahmed Rilwan and blogger Yameen Rasheed, reiterating his government’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind their disappearance and death, respectively.

The Maldives Journalism Award 2018 was held on 11th December, to mark 75 years since the state established Maldives’ first news station.