The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has filed an urgent complaint with the Maldives Police Service, calling for immediate action and adequate protection for journalists facing threats, intimidation and targeted online harassment.
The complaint follows a series of social media attacks against Maldivian journalists who travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a media tour organised by Eagle Hills in connection with the Rasmalé development project.
According to the MJA, photographs and videos of the journalists have been circulated online alongside accusations labelling them as traitors, Zionists and Jews, raising serious concerns about their personal safety.
The association warned that the harassment has created fear among the targeted journalists and their families, stressing that such intimidation threatens press freedom and the ability of journalists to carry out their professional responsibilities safely.
In its letter to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed, the MJA urged authorities to immediately investigate those responsible, assess potential security threats and ensure adequate protection for affected journalists and their families.
MJA President Naaif Ahmed strongly condemned the intimidation, emphasising that disagreements over news coverage must never be used to justify threats, harassment or personal attacks against journalists.
The association called for swift police intervention and appropriate legal action against those responsible.
The MJA reaffirmed that journalists must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence, intimidation or retaliation, stressing the importance of safeguarding press freedom and the safety of media professionals in the Maldives.
