No journalist should fear for their safety simply for doing their job: MJA

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has asked the Maldives Police Service to investigate social media campaigns targeting Maldivian journalists who travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of Eagle Hills, the developer behind the Rasmale' project. 

In a letter addressed to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed, the MJA said the familiarisation tour was organised by Eagle Hills to allow journalists to observe the company’s international developments.

The association said photos and videos of the journalists are being circulated online in an attempt to defame them. According to the letter, journalists are being labelled as “traitors”, “Zionists” and “Jews”, and subjected to abusive language. “Some people on social media are circulating hateful photos and making videos against these journalists,” the MJA wrote, noting that the campaigns have created fear among journalists and their families and raised concerns about personal safety.

The MJA said journalists work according to the editorial policies of their respective media outlets, and personal attacks against individuals performing their professional duties are unacceptable. The association made three requests in its complaint: to treat the matter as urgent and launch a formal investigation into those behind the campaigns, to conduct an immediate security risk assessment of the affected journalists, and to ensure adequate police protection for them and their families.

MJA President Naif Ahmed said no journalist should fear for their safety simply for doing their job. He noted that such invitations are common in the global media industry, where journalists report based on firsthand experience. “Circulating their photos, labeling them as traitors and conducting deliberate defamation campaigns to intimidate and deter journalists is a dangerous attack on press freedom. Differences of opinion over editorial thinking should never cross the boundary of targeted insults and intimidation,” he said.

The MJA also urged Maldivian media outlets to maintain a clear distinction between sponsored content and independent news, reminding editorial leaderships that safeguarding editorial independence is their primary responsibility. The association said media houses must ensure that business arrangements do not undermine public confidence or place working journalists at risk.

The MJA said it will continue to defend the rights and safety of media workers and called on the public to refrain from acts that endanger journalists on duty.