The government hs taken important steps to ensure that press freedom is ‘restored’ so that the media may actively hold institutions of the State accountable, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at an event on Thursday night to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day, President Solih said that his administration will ensure that all its work is carried out as transparently ‘as possible’.

President Solih also said that arrangements for the press to acquire information from State and government offices will be made.

President Solih also highlighted his administration’s work to investigate the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan, for which an inquiry commission has been established.

Solih highlighted that Maldives has moved up 22 ranks in the World Press Freedom Index, having scored 120 in 2018 and 98 this year.

The president said that the government will not be influencing the work of the press, and that ‘journalists will no longer be arrested and jailed for doing their job’.