The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has condemned the President’s Office for excluding several prominent media outlets from President Mohamed Muizzu’s press conference held today.
In a statement released by the MJA, which advocates for journalists’ rights, the association said it had received numerous complaints from its member journalists who were denied access to today’s press briefing.
The MJA said excluding select media outlets from important events organised by the President’s Office is an act that obstructs press freedom. The association also noted that it amounts to the President’s Office impeding the right to access information.
The MJA called on the President’s Office to provide equal opportunity to all media outlets at its press conferences.
Speaking at the press conference held at the President’s Office, Muizzu said he does not decide which journalists are invited or how invitations are extended. He added that the relevant section of the President’s Office would look into how the matter unfolded and provide a response.
“I am not the person who invites journalists. I am not the one who decides who should be invited or how they should be invited. These are administrative matters. The relevant section of the President’s Office will look into it and provide a response. There is a published policy regarding these press conferences at the President’s Office. The President’s Office will proceed in accordance with that policy,” Muizzu said.
Today’s press conference — the first Muizzu has held in more than two months — saw invitations sent to select media outlets individually. Most of the invited outlets are those regarded as pro-government, while those excluded are largely outlets that do not favour the administration.
Media outlets not invited to today’s press conference include Dhauru and Raajje TV. The President’s Office has not disclosed the reason for excluding certain media outlets from Muizzu’s press conference.
Previously, only journalists from Adhadhu had been barred from press conferences organised by the President’s Office. According to the office, journalists from Adhadhu are not permitted to attend any press briefings it organises. However, the President’s Office has yet to formally notify Adhadhu of this decision in writing.
Regarding the measures taken against Adhadhu, the President’s Office had stated that the “suspension” would remain in place until the conclusion of an ongoing case at the Criminal Court against the outlet’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Editor Hassan Mohamed.
