NIAS Area Studies


PAKISTAN READER

Photo Source:
   NIAS Course on Global Politics
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
For any further information or to subscribe to GP alerts send an email to subachandran@nias.res.in

Global Politics Review: WPF Report 2026
Maldives and Press Freedom:

  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

Print Bookmark

June 2026 | CWA # 2142

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

Bhutan and Press Freedom:
June 2026 | CWA # 2141

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.

Maldives and Press Freedom:
June 2026 | CWA # 2140

Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. 

Pakistan and Press Freedom:
June 2026 | CWA # 2139

Siddhi Halyur | Siddhi Halyur is an undergraduate from St. Joseph's University currently interning at NIAS. 

Afghanistan and Press Freedom:
June 2026 | CWA # 2138

Siddhi Halyur | Siddhi Halyur is an undergraduate from St. Joseph's University currently interning at NIAS.

Nepal and Press Freedom:
June 2026 | CWA # 2136

Acsah H | Acsah H is a postgraduate student at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Institute of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, MAHE, Manipal, Udupi. She is currently a research intern at NIAS.

The Blue Origin Rocket Explosion:
June 2026 | CWA # 2135

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at NIAS.

Shangri-La Dialogue 2026:
June 2026 | CWA # 2134

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 NIAS, Bengaluru.

Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Four Major Takeaways
June 2026 | CWA # 2132

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The US-Iran War, Week Fourteen:
June 2026 | CWA # 2131

Rohini Reenum | Rohini Reenum is a doctoral student at NIAS. She is working on Governance in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction using the case study of the BBNJ Agreement.

Israel-Lebanon Tensions:
June 2026 | CWA # 2130

Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader and Africa Studies teams.

The UK-Rwanda Asylum Deal: 
June 2026 | CWA # 2129

Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is currently a Non-Resident Fellow, Subhas Chandra Bose International Relations (SCB-IR) Chair, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

Conflicts in Africa This Week:
May 2026 | CWA # 2127

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru

The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting 2026:
May 2026 | CWA # 2126

Aparna A Nair | Aparna A Nair is a graduate from the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.

The Shenzhou-23 Mission:
May 2026 | CWA # 2124

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengalur

The Crisis in Cuba:
May 2026 | CWA # 2122

Radhika M Agarwal | Radhika M Agarwal is a postgraduate student at the Department of Politics and International Relations in Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar.

The War in Ukraine:
May 2026 | CWA # 2121

Deb Dutta | Deb Dutta completed his graduation from the Department of Political Science, Sir Aurobindo International Centre of Education (SAICE), Puducherry. He is currently an intern at NIAS.

Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the Border Tensions:
May 2026 | CWA # 2120

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Conflicts in the Middle East
May 2026 | CWA # 2119

Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is currently a Non-Resident Fellow, Subhas Chandra Bose International Relations (SCB-IR) Chair, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

Conflicts in Africa
May 2026 | CWA # 2116

Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is currently pursuing undergraduate studies at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. 

India, the UAE, and PM Modi’s visit:
May 2026 | CWA # 2115

Aparna A Nair | Aparna A Nair is a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

The Putin-Xi Summit
May 2026 | CWA # 2114

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

What makes the UAE a global player?
May 2026 | CWA # 2113

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 NIAS, Bengaluru.

Sri Lanka and the US-Iran War 
May 2026 | CWA # 2112

Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in international relations at Loyola College, Chennai. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Why does the Falkland Islands dispute keep recurring?
May 2026 | CWA # 2110

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.

The Trump-Xi Summit:
May 2026 | CWA # 2109

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.

North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026:
May 2026 | CWA # 2108

Ada Khan | Ada Khan is an undergraduate at the Department of Political Science, Public Policy, and Media Studies, Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru.

The Africa Forward Summit 2026:
May 2026 | CWA # 2104

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
May 2026 | CWA # 2091

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Conflicts in the Middle East:
May 2026 | CWA # 2090

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
May 2026 | CWA # 2088

Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

King Charles's US Visit:
May 2026 | CWA # 2087

Siddhi Halyur | Siddhi Halyur is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Public Policy and Journalism at St Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Japan, Vietnam and PM Takaichis Visit
May 2026 | CWA # 2086

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.

UAEs Exit from OPEC:
May 2026 | CWA # 2085

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

US troop withdrawal from Germany:
May 2026 | CWA # 2083

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
May 2026 | CWA # 2081

Jenin Raj S | Dr Jenin Raj S is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Centre for Media, Department of Journalism, Mount Carmel College (Autonomous), Bengaluru.

Media freedom hits a 25-year low:
April 2026 | CWA # 2079

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

Japans New Defence Posture:
April 2026 | CWA # 2074

Brighty Ann Sarah | Ms Sarah is a Research Assistant at NIAS and Assistant Editor of NIAS Conflict Weekly.

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
April 2026 | CWA # 2073

Akshath Kaimal | Mr Kaimal is a Research Assistant at NIAS. He works on Pakistan and Africa.

The US-Iran War, Week Eight:
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon | Dr Lakshmi Venugopal Menon is an academic and policy researcher specializing in Gulf studies, cultural heritage trafficking, geopolitics, migration, Afghan politics and the Taliban.

The Middle East (JanMar 2026):
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is an undergraduate student from Madras Christian College, Chennai.

UK and China
February 2026 | CWA # 1957

R Preetha | R Preetha is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

The IndiaUS interim trade framework
February 2026 | CWA # 1956

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

End of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu

Nepal
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

The Maldives
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

India
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Bangladesh
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Afghanistan