MJA files police complaint over online attacks on journalists who visited UAE for Rasmalé media tour

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has submitted a complaint to the Maldives Police Service, requesting that the campaign of defamation and attacks targeting Maldivian journalists who visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of Eagle Hills be investigated as an urgent case, and that immediate security protection be provided to these journalists. In a letter addressed to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohammed, MJA highlighted that this trip was a media tour organized by Eagle Hills, a developer in the UAE, regarding the Rasmalé project. The association stated that during this trip, photos were circulated on social media and videos were edited to defame the participating journalists and incite hatred against them. Accordingly, the letter stated that journalists are being attacked using vile language after being labeled as "Qatarians," "Zionists," and "Jews." "Some individuals are circulating photos and editing videos on social media to incite hatred against these journalists. In these campaigns conducted on the internet, journalists are being attacked using vile words after being labeled as 'Qatarians,' 'Zionists,' and 'Jews' to defame them," MJA said in its letter. MJA stated that while journalists work in accordance with the editorial policies of the media outlets they belong to, individual attacks on specific journalists cannot be accepted while fulfilling professional responsibilities. The association also noted that such actions have created significant fear among journalists and their families, endangering their personal safety. In the complaint submitted to the police service, MJA requested three things: to treat this complaint as an urgent case and initiate an official investigation into the parties behind the campaigns; to immediately conduct a security risk assessment for the defamed journalists; and to provide appropriate police protection for these individuals and their families. Regarding this matter, MJA President Naif Ahmed stated that no journalist should feel afraid for their safety or the safety of their family simply by performing their duties. "Circulating photos of journalists to frighten and intimidate them, labeling them as Qatarians, and running deliberate defamation campaigns is a dangerous attack on press freedom. Differences in opinion regarding editorial thinking must not be used as a pretext to launch attacks or intimidation under any circumstances," Naif said. Furthermore, MJA urged Maldivian media houses and editorial leadership to maintain a strong and clearly visible distinction between sponsored content and free news and opinion content. The association reminded that clearly identifying sponsored or promotional material is a fundamental responsibility of media houses to uphold editorial independence. They called for arrangements to be made so that public trust is not compromised due to business transactions and that working journalists are not put at risk. MJA assured that it will stand firm in defending the rights and safety of those working in the media sector, and appealed to the public to stay away from acts that threaten journalists performing their duties.