Maldives has fallen by 13 ranks to 100th place in the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) annually.

On each year’s May 3rd World Press FreedomDay is celebrated. The World Freedom Index which is published on this date annually showed that Maldives ranked 87 last year.

However, the index published today shows that Maldives has fallen to 100th rank. This indicates that Maldives is now in the ‘problematic’ category or in the category of countries with restrictions and difficulties in press freedom.

Due to the ranking of Maldives deteriorating two years in a row during the current government, Asia Pacific’s desk leader Daniel Bastard  stated the following:

"Maldives ranking falling by 13 places in comparison to last year has revealed that the press freedom status has deteriorated. A reason for this can be said that the strength of incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s policies has weakened. Not fulfilling all his pledges to support press freedom.

Concerns include the legal framework deteriorating significantly with the implementation of the Evidence Act. Despite proposed amendments to this Act, there is still a risk that source confidentiality may not be maintained. In addition to this, the safety and protection of journalists remain at a concerning level. While a large number of journalists have been given severe warnings, the cases of Ahmed Rilwan being lost and murder of Yameen Rasheed still remains as is with no punishments being given."

When this government came into power, with the repeal of the Defamation Act, Maldives ranking in Press Freedom Index had improved. In 2021 Maldives ranked 79.

During former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom’s government, due to the restrictions imposed on the journalists, the ranking of Maldives was 120. This was in problematic category.

As the ranking of Maldives is falling once again, the President of Maldives Journalists Association Ali Rifshaan stated the following:

“It should be an obligation of every government to protect and maintain freedom of journalists. However what is being seen is each government forgetting about this obligation. This is unfortunate. To improve this index, The Evidence Act should be amended without delay to make it easier for journalists. Government has to support policies that grant the press financial independence. National policies are needed to protect the press and journalists freedom. More effort has to be put into the work of finding justice for the lost Rilwan and murder of Yamin.”

Press Freedom Index is an official index accepted by the international community which is calculated to identify the status of press freedom in 180 countries across the world. This index is based on the opinions and information collected by experts selected by these countries, as well as the degree of actions imposed against journalists.