MMC expresses concern over police obstructing journalists covering opposition rally
The council received reports of obstruction, during an opposition rally on Monday night
The opposition staged a protest on Monday night
Police have been accused of obstructing journalists from doing their jobs, during an opposition rally on Monday night.
Maldives Media Council (MMC) has expressed concern over the matter, following complaints.
Highlighting that it has received complaints of journalists being obstructed from covering Monday’s opposition rally, MMC stressed that this is a violation Article (e) of the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act.
Hence, the council called on the police institution to refrain from obstructing journalists covering protests. It also reminded journalists to wear the required passes from the Maldives Broadcasting Commission, when covering such rallies.
Further noting that complaints of obstruction to journalists covering rallies have increased recently, the Maldives Media Council expressed disappointment in how the police failed to act in a just manner when providing opportunities for medias to cover the unrest in Bodufinolhu island of Baa atoll earlier this month.
While journalists and the media were continuously targeted by the former administration, the home ministry recently issued a reminder that protests can only be held near the carnival area in the capital, an amendment to the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act ratified by former President Abdulla Yameen in 2016.
