Azleen Ahmed, Minister of Home Affairs, on Saturday evening said the Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act is a great gift for the people of Maldives. Speaking on PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme, his first media interview since appointment, Home Minister Azleen Ahmed said the Defamation Act came at a vital time, reiterating the government’s position that the bill does not seek to criminalise free speech.
Citing that Article 33 of the Constitution grants the right to protect one’s reputation and good name, Azleen Ahmed expressed concern over the widespread defamation in the political discourse. Mentioning Article 27 of the Constitution, which stipulates the right to freedom of expression, the Home Minister dismissed accusations that the new law is a threat to free media.
Speaking further in this regard, Azleen Ahmed said that “the law clearly defines how freedom of expression shall be exercised”, and stressed that “factual and truthful reporting will not be hindered in any way by the law. No journalist will be indicted for factual and truthful reporting”.
Speaking further about the new legislation, the Home Minister noted that the law not only provides protection to government officials, but it protects the right of every Maldivian citizen to protect one’s reputation and good name. He further assured that no one will be charged unlawfully under the law, but also warned that “no room will be given to openly defame and hurt the reputation of another”.
The law, passed by Parliament on August 9, was signed into law on August 11. The legislation criminalises defamation on 4 grounds; protecting the tenets of Islam, protecting national security, protecting the character and reputation of individuals; and, protecting social norms.