Govt condemns threats against media; vows to protect journalists

The Maldivian government expressed alarm at recent threats against several local media outlets on Tuesday, condemning such action in the harshest terms.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the President’s Office provided assurance the government will provide their full attention to such threats and engage in efforts to protect to protect local media outlets and journalists.

“The Maldivian government condemns in the harshest act the anonymous threats being made via social media and phone call to several local medias,” said the President’s Office.

The President’s Office said the police have launched an investigation into the threats.

The police will utilize all its resources and capabilities to identify the culprits, reads the statement.

The President’s Office also urged people to report such threats to the police as soon as possible.

“The government remains committed to upholding the policy of listening to journalists, promoting the work of the press, and allowing for responsible journalism,” said the President’s Office. “All government institutions will work day and night with loyalty and sincerity to stop attempts to intimidate journalists and media and acts to undermine national stability.”

The statement comes a day after RaajjeTV filed a case with the police over a threat to torch the local TV station.

The threat was made to a reporter from RaajjeTV over social media on Sunday. The social media user threatened to “end” RaajjeTV and “set fire” to the station.  And in the comments section of a Facebook post regarding the incident, a user warned that all medias that create conflict must be “burnt to ashes”, starting with Channel 13, another local TV station.

POLICE INVESTIGATE, PROMISE LEGAL ACTION

In a separate statement on Thursday night, the police said they were investigating threats made against TV channels and individuals.

“Threats to harm medias and individuals are investigated by this service as serious cases,” said the police.

According to the police, the Cyber Crime Department and the Serious and Organized Crime Department are investigating the cases, and working on taking necessary legal action.