IPI condemns Evidence Act

International Press Institute (IPI) has condemned passing of the Evidence Act.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih passed the Evidence Act, in spite of journalists and media rights bodies were protesting the Act. The concerns were mainly on how the Act would muzzle in free press and prevent sources from whistleblowing on critical matters.

A tweet released by the by the Institute said that “IPI strongly condemns President Solih’s ratification of the Evidence Act”, adding that it was a critical threat to press freedom.

The Evidence Act mandates journalists to reveal their sources, if terrorism and national security are concerned. Journalists raised their concerns on this, citing that the law was unclear on what constituted as a national security risk.

The Act was fast tracked in the Parliament, in spite of journalists, Maldives Media Council (MMC), and Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) protesting the Act in the Judiciary Committee of the Parliament.

Over 180 journalists had submitted a petition to the President, which stated that this Act would embolden individuals to persecute media and media sources.