Arts and Culture Minister Heena Waleed has defended the government’s stance amid ongoing debate surrounding press freedom and recent court action involving journalists from local outlet Adhadhu, stating that constitutional freedoms must be exercised responsibly and within the boundaries of the law.
In a post shared on social media, Heena said the Maldives is not facing a situation where freedom of expression or press freedom is being restricted, arguing instead that the issue stems from the misuse of those freedoms to spread false allegations and attack individuals’ reputations.
According to the minister, journalists in the Maldives continue to have broad access to question the President and criticize the government without fear of arbitrary arrest or detention. However, she stressed that once a constitutional court issues a legal order, neither the President nor any individual has the authority to ignore or violate it.
Her remarks come following the jailing of two journalists from Adhadhu after the Criminal Court found them in contempt for violating a court-imposed gag order linked to the “Aisha” documentary case.
The journalists, Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Naseer, received prison sentences after closed-door hearings held on Tuesday. Authorities stated that the restrictions were necessary to protect the integrity of ongoing proceedings and prevent reputational harm.
Commenting on the wider issue, Heena said the misuse of constitutional freedoms for political gain and the spread of false accusations against public figures had become increasingly common. She emphasized that laws established in the Maldives would continue to be enforced and that action would be taken when violations occur.
The minister also stressed that holding the government accountable and criticizing state policies can be done responsibly without resorting to personal attacks, false claims, or defamation.
Her comments reflect the government’s broader position that freedom of expression must coexist with respect for the rule of law, judicial decisions, and the rights of others.
