The administration of President Yameen is remembered as the darkest era in the history of Maldivian journalism. Under the 2016 Defamation and Freedom of Expression Act, media outlets faced exorbitant fines, while journalists were systematically intimidated and hindered from uncovering the truth. Key actions aimed at dismantling the press included the forced closure of “Haveeru,” the country’s longest-running newspaper, and the relentless harassment of media organizations such as Raajje TV.
Furthermore, instead of ensuring justice in the cases of the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan and the brutal murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed, the government exhibited gross negligence. By distancing itself from the press and restricting the opportunity for inquiry, the administration fostered a climate of fear across the entire media landscape. Many now view it as a profound irony—and indeed, a mockery—that an individual who inflicted such extensive damage on the fourth estate would today attempt to stand as a defender of press freedom.
