Maldives Media Attacks Surge: What You Need to Know

Maldives media attacks have intensified following the arrest of two journalists in May 2026, marking the first criminal charges against media professionals since the nation adopted a democratic constitution in 2008. Human Rights Watch has urged the Maldives authorities to promptly free journalists Leevan Ali Naseer, 29, and Mohamed Shahzan, 31, and to dismiss the charges that are emblematic of the growing crackdown on press freedom in the country. "The wrongful detention of these journalists and the raids on independent news organizations convey a threatening message about media freedom in the Maldives," stated Elaine Pearson, the Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "It is imperative for the government to halt its alarming regression on media liberties." On April 27, the Serious and Organized Crime Department conducted a raid at the Malé office of the online newspaper Adhadhu, confiscating journalists' laptops and hard drives. This followed the release of their documentary titled "Aisha" on March 28, which alleged sexual misconduct and abuse of power by President Mohamed Muizzu. The president has denied these allegations. In a subsequent move, travel bans were imposed on Adhadhu’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and managing editor Hassan Mohamed. On May 10, the Prosecutor General’s Office charged the two under section 612(a) of the penal code for “qazf,” or falsely accusing someone of adultery under Islamic law, carrying a penalty of up to 19 months in prison and possible lashes. That same day, the Maldivian Criminal Court enacted a gag order, forbidding any public discussion of the documentary. Just two days later, Naseer and Shahzan were sentenced to 10 and 15 days in prison for breaching the gag order and fined approximately Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) 26,000 (around US $1,700). Reports indicate that the journalists are detained in poor conditions at Maafushi prison. On May 15, Naseer was transferred to a different unit, placed in solitary confinement, and denied medical care for a worsening skin condition. On May 17, an appeal against the gag order by the Maldives Journalists Association was rejected by the High Court, which ruled that the group did not have the standing to appeal. An appeal by Moosa was accepted on May 19 but remains undecided. In response to the arrests of Naseer and Shahzan, protests erupted in Malé, led by journalists and supporters of opposition parties. Authorities clashed with demonstrators, arresting ten individuals during a protest organized by the People’s National Front and the Maldives Democratic Party; several continue to be detained. On May 19, 13 media outlets engaged in a 12-hour blackout as a protest against the worsening attacks on media. The executive director of the Maldives Journalists Association, Mohamed Junayd, expressed to Human Rights Watch that "the speed with which the executive, prosecutors, and judiciary are acting to imprison journalists in secret trials without legal representation is alarming. The confiscation of journalistic materials, the travel bans, the extensive gag order, and the incarceration of journalists signify a deliberate effort to undermine legal protections for media professionals." On May 8, Human Rights Watch and other organizations contacted President Muizzu to voice their serious concerns regarding the targeting of Adhadhu and other news outlets. They urged the government to reaffirm its allegiance to free speech and media independence. This media repression followed the enactment of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill on September 16, 2025, which grants the government extensive control over media operations. According to Adhadhu’s Mohamed, this legislation allows the government to dominate the regulatory body, as its members are elected by a parliament under direct government influence. "The law is intended to suppress media rights rather than promote them," he noted. The law established the Maldives Media and Broadcast Commission, which can mandate correction notices for online content and impose fines ranging from MVR 5,000 ($325) to MVR 25,000 ($1,600) for non-compliance by journalists and media entities. In late April, this commission halted the live coverage of opposition demonstrations by Channel 13. On May 19, three former Maldivian presidents, Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, and Ibrahim Solih, issued a joint appeal to diplomatic missions and civil society groups, including Human Rights Watch. They demanded the immediate release of the detained journalists and those arrested during protests. The former presidents affirmed that “a free press is a fundamental indicator of democracy… and its suppression reflects a wider trend of regression: the weakening of Parliament, the undermining of independent commissions, and the enactment of a media law empowering a government-aligned commission to discipline and shut down media outlets.” In the Maldives, extremist groups have frequently targeted activists and journalists for content considered "offensive" to Islam. Some of these groups maintain ties with influential politicians and have assaulted and even murdered journalists without facing consequences. "The Maldives is a small nation… so, when journalists are attacked, it’s easy to identify and target us," stated Mohamed. "When officials accuse us of being anti-Islamic or confrontational, it places us in serious danger. The threat is real and impacts our daily lives – from commuting to work to accompanying our children to school." Elaine Pearson concluded, "The continuing crackdown on journalists in the Maldives highlights the delicate nature of media freedom achieved thus far. President Muizzu must clearly communicate to the police that free expression is paramount and that any aggression against media personnel is unacceptable." For further insights, reference the complete report by [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/05/21/maldives-attacks-on-media-escalate) and more information on press freedom issues on [Committee to Protect Journalists](https://cpj.org). For more details about developments in the Maldives, visit [www.globemigrant.com/maldives-updates](www.globemigrant.com/maldives-updates) and [www.globemigrant.com/maldives-media](www.globemigrant.com/maldives-media).

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