President Dr Mohamed Muizzu made history on World Press Freedom Day, holding a 15-hour press conference—widely believed to be the longest conducted by a world leader. The session, which began at 10 a.m. on Saturday and concluded at 1 a.m. on Sunday, reinforced his administration's emphasis on transparency and media engagement.
Setting the tone early, President Muizzu assured journalists that he would answer every question posed to him. He continued uninterrupted, addressing enquiries from both reporters and the general public, whose questions were relayed through media representatives. The president paused only briefly for prayer times, reinforcing his commitment to ensuring open dialogue.
His press conference came as the Maldives gained ground on the World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders. The country advanced to 104th place, up from 106th the previous year—an improvement government officials attributed to the government's broader push for media freedom and access to information.
A commitment to strengthening journalism has been reflected in recent policy initiatives. Among them, the government has launched plans for a media village, designed to bolster media organisations across the country. A formal agreement with a developer has been signed, and USD 1.81 million has been earmarked in the national budget to support private media outlets.
Direct engagement with the press has also been a priority for President Muizzu's government. The administration has hosted 141 press conferences and conducted 1,071 interviews to date, fostering accessibility between officials and the public. The 'Ahaa' Forum has served as an additional platform for direct exchanges between government officials and citizens.
Beyond traditional avenues, President Muizzu's office has expanded digital outreach through 'Rayyithunnaa Eku', a podcast where he speaks on government policy. Four episodes have been released, complementing the 'Rayyithunge Adu' portal, where 1,043 citizen submissions have been received, with the president personally responding to 705 of them.
His marathon press engagement sets a new precedent, surpassing the 14-hour record held by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The extended session, according to government officials, highlights President Muizzu's administration's efforts to prioritise openness and accessibility in governance.