MJA Files Police Complaint Over Harassment of Journalists Covering Hulhumalé Project

The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has submitted a complaint to the police regarding a serious issue of harassment against journalists on social media, and has also requested that necessary safety and security be ensured for those journalists who traveled to the UAE. The MJA submitted a complaint requesting an investigation into efforts to incite hatred against journalists on social media using photos and videos showing them working, in connection with the Maldives Water Front and Marina project being carried out in Hulhumalé by the UAE-based Eagle Hills company. In a letter addressed to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohammed, the MJA expressed concerns over malicious acts targeting journalists who participated in a media trip organized by Eagle Hills in connection with the Hulhumalé project. The association noted that efforts are being made on various social media platforms to incite hatred against journalists using their photos and videos. Journalists are being insulted and harassed by being labeled as "traitors" and "Zionists" and addressed with vile language. The MJA highlighted that journalists are working in accordance with the editorial guidelines and policies of the media institutions to which they belong, and such attacks targeting individual journalists because of their professional duties cannot be accepted. The association stated that these acts have created significant fear for the journalists and their families, putting their safety at risk. Harassment faced by journalists through various social media resources had increased to worrying levels even before the trip to the UAE. In the letter, the MJA requested that the matter be examined urgently as a serious case, a formal investigation be initiated to find those behind the actions damaging the reputation of journalists, and that efforts to assess the security risks facing journalists be immediately continued, with appropriate protection provided by the police. The President of the journalists' association, Naif Ahmed, condemned the attacks and called upon relevant authorities to take immediate action. "No journalist or their family should live in fear because of their work and fulfilling their responsibilities. Carrying out calculated activities to defame journalists by posting their photos and labeling them as enemies of the country is a dangerous attack on press freedom," Naif said. In addition to the police complaint, the MJA has called upon all media institutions and editorial heads in the country to clearly distinguish between sponsored content and independent news and information, so that journalists are not exposed to vulnerable situations due to loss of public trust. The MJA stated that the association will continue to defend the rights and safety of those working in the media sector, and appealed to the public not to engage in any act that puts journalists at risk while they fulfill their professional duties.