MJA Calls on Police to Probe Harassment of Journalists Over UAE Trip as Urgent

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has urged the Dhivehi Police Service to investigate complaints of harassment faced by journalists as urgent cases and ensure their safety. In a letter to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohammed, the MJA said several journalists were taken to Dubai to provide information on a project by Equal Hills Company in Ras Malé in the UAE. Various parties are now harassing these journalists on social media, with some posting their photos, labeling them as Jews, using derogatory terms, and calling them traitors. The MJA also said videos have been prepared targeting these journalists and campaigns are being run against them. The association shared screenshots of abusive language used to harass and insult the journalists, and noted that some parties are also targeting journalists who come to report news from Dubai. The MJA expressed concern that harassment of a journalist working according to their media outlet's procedures is unacceptable. The letter highlighted that fear has arisen among the journalists and their families due to these incidents, and they face dangers. It also noted that numerous harassment cases against journalists on social media existed even before the trip. The MJA requested that the harassment issues be investigated as urgent cases, a security assessment be conducted for the journalists, and the police ensure their safety.