PAKISTAN READER

Aishal Hab Yousuf Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

On 30 April, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the World Press Freedom Index on the state of media freedom globally. According to the report, Maldives ranked at 108 among 180 countries, a four-point rise from its 2025 position at 104. In Maldives, press freedom remains fragile and heavily shaped by political power and restrictive laws. While constitutional provisions protect journalists, they still face intimidation and censorship. 

The following are the four key takeaways on the state of media freedom in the Maldives based on the 2026 RSF report. 

1. The transition to democracy alone has not secured press freedom
The end of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's authoritarian rule in 2008 significantly transformed the Maldives' media landscape. The democratic reforms that were introduced in the 2010s enabled the mushrooming of independent television stations and opposition friendly media. The diversification of media allowed journalists to challenge the narratives peddled by the state. However, the RSF report emphasizes that media freedom in the Maldives remains largely dependent on the political climate of the day. While former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih promised stronger protections for journalists after 2018, concerns regarding intimidation and political pressure continued. Under the incumbent president Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the state continues to face criticism for using restrictive laws and increasing pressure on independent media. 

2. The legal protections that exists are undermined
The Maldivian Constitution provides one of the strongest guarantees of freedom of expression in the South Asian region. Legal provisions specifically protect journalists from coercion to reveal their confidential sources. Despite this the report highlights that new legislation has weakened the constitutional safeguards. The Evidence Act came into effect in 2023, allowing courts to compel journalists to disclose their confidential sources during investigations and trials. This creates an atmosphere of fear amongst whistleblowers that in turn impacts investigative journalism, especially on matters of malfeasance and security-related issues. The law has been under constant criticism by the Maldives Journalist Association (MJA).The Parliament (Majlis) however doubled down and passed a regulatory law establishing the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission in 2025. Activists and critics note that the commission lacks the capability to function independently because the government has significant influence over the appointees. The law also enables authorities to impose sanctions on media organizations raising valid concerns that these regulations are prone to political bias rather than objectivity.

3. State imposed pressure through financial constraints
The report highlights that one of the most effective tools of state control over media is through the revenue generated by advertisements. In the Maldives, advertising revenue from state-owned entities is opaque. Thus, media outlets considered to be politically ‘loyal’ tend to receive favorable access to state advertising and subsidies, making criticism of the state and editorial independence financially risky. The situation is more dire in the case of smaller, independently run media houses.
The use of financial leverage in this manner avoids international attention usually observed in the case of direct censorship or arrests. 

4. Targeted attacks on journalists and fear mongering to curb editorial autonomy
Although the Maldives ranks relatively better on the security indicator than many South Asian countries, the report argues that journalists still operate within a climate of fear. Two cases remain especially symbolic. The disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla in 2014 and the murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed in 2017. Both individuals had criticized extremism and political actors before they were attacked. The report notes allegations that extremist networks linked to transnational jihadist circles may have been involved in these crimes. However, investigations have produced limited accountability, and the acquittal of major suspects in 2023 reinforced perceptions of impunity. Religious extremism also remains a major challenge. Journalists who discuss secularism, women’s rights, or religious radicalization frequently face threats and harassment.

References
“Maldives: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index,” Reporters Sans Frontiers, 30 April 2026

“Maldives: Events of 2025,” Human Rights Watch World Report 2026 
  
“Maldives Journalists Association Condemns Threats to Media Freedom Under Evidence Act,” Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), 2023. 
 
“Maldives Parliament Passes Evidence Bill Despite Media Concerns,” The Edition, 14 August 2023. 

“Maldives Media Freedom Under Threat Amid Growing Political Pressure,” International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 18 September 2024 

“UN Experts Call for Justice in the Murder of Blogger Yameen Rasheed and Disappearance of Ahmed Rilwan,” Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 2023. 

“Maldives: Acquittal in Rilwan Case Deepens Culture of Impunity,” Amnesty International, 18 October 2023

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