Friday
19th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Police Commissioner Mohamed "MC" Hameed
Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has expressed their concern over summons issued on Dhiyares Chief Editor and journalist Ahmed Azaan.
A statement released by right Association expressed their concern over the summons. The statement went on to note that Azaan was being summoned as a result of an article on the website that alerted public on a loophole in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) website, that exposed private health information of patients.
MJA also expressed concern over the potential leak of private health records of patients who had sought treatment at the hospital.
The body also made note of allegations made by Maldives Police Service (MPS). Police had alleged that Azaan had leaked private health records of several high-ranking government officials. Azaan had denied this accusation.
MJA remarked on this, adding that it was deeply troubling that a journalist was summoned for questioning over an article written, alone.
Developments of this nature, MJA stressed would only foster a climate of threatening journalists. They called on all agencies to facilitate a free and persecution-free environment for journalists to carry on their work.
MJA also expressed their concern over repeated, personal attacks on Dhiyares journalist, Khathima Yoosuf. This case has been filed in MPS.
Khathima’s mobile number and pictures were doxed on Tiktok, with several individuals from Hoarafushi island had pestered her with calls, MJA noted. MJA also noted that these calls began after Hoarafushi Constituency Member of Parliament Ahmed Saleem had filed a defamation suit against Dhiyares, seeking MVR 10 million (US$ 651,470.30) in damages.
MJA called on authorities to see these cases as serious threats, thoroughly investigate them, and to provide security, if necessary. They also called on journalists to be responsible and to adhere to journalistic integrity and ethics.