Vice President Faisal Naseem has urged journalists to continue to do honest work and disperse factual news. The vice president made the remark while speaking at the ceremony held at the National Art Gallery to commemorate International Press Freedom Day.
During the ceremony, Vice President Naseem emphasised the past few years have dimmed journalism in the country and stated Maldivian journalists took on their duty along with countless challenges surrounded by a grave fear. However, he stated Maldivian journalists have proved themselves by carrying out their duties, despite the distress and expressed gratitude to all the Maldivian journalists for their act of bravery.
Speaking at the event, the vice president also stated press freedom is one of the most important components of full-fledged democracy and further stated the reality is that a country will not flourish without the freedom of the press and the stability in a country.
Moreover, vice president stated while the Maldives Media Council is responsible for ensuring an independent environment for media, the transparency of media agencies, and their compliance with the country's rule of law, it also falls upon the council to maintain press freedom in the country. He also stated the council must also ensure that those working in the media adhere to the ethics and principles of journalism responsibly.
During the ceremony, Vice President Naseem also stated the administration will continue to support and assist the Maldives Media Council in carrying out all its duties. He also recalled that one of the first official duties President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih undertook following his assumption of office was to revoke the Defamation Act and reinstating true freedom of expression for journalists.
Speaking in this regard, he noted the improvement of the Maldives' ranking in the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders is proof of how much journalism has prospered in the country since the administration came into office.
Furthermore, speaking during the ceremony, Vice President Naseem stated it is an obligation to revive the memories of journalist Ahmed Rilwan, who was forcefully disappeared and internet blogger Yameen Rasheed who was brutally murdered.