‘Not fact-based’: Motion over journalists’ imprisonment thrown out of Parliament

The Parliament, on Thursday, has rejected an emergency motion alleging that journalists are being arrested in a manner that undermines press freedom.

The motion, submitted by South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, was rejected after the speaker ruled that the allegations lacked a factual basis.

In his motion, MP Meekail pointed to growing public concerns over a journalist from the media outlet ‘Adhadhu’ having been arrested following a question during a press conference held at the President’s Office, as well as the sudden arrest of another journalist in relation to an article published by the news outlet.

It accused the President’s Office of impeding press freedom by formally informing the outlet’s journalists that they would be prohibited from attending briefings, citing discretionary authority under office protocols.

The motion emphasized Maldives’ standing on the World Press Freedom Index reflects a deterioration of the country’s media environment to what it described as a precarious state.

Addressing the motion, Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla stated that any emergency motion submitted to the Majlis must be grounded in factual events. He asserted that the motion put forth by Meekail was entirely factually unfounded. As such, the emergency motion alleging violations of journalists’ rights was rejected.

Two journalists from Adhadhu, Leevan Ali Naseer and Mohamed Shahzan, were jailed on Tuesday over allegations of violating a Criminal Court order. The accusations relate to an alleged breach of a court order related to a documentary produced by the media.

Leevan was accused of publishing a news report concerning the order, while Shahuzan was alleged to have violated the order by posing questions during a press conference at the President’s Office. Adhadhu’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa has maintained that the two journalists were not given the opportunity to defend themselves.