Foreign Minister calls on international community to team up against disinformation and hate speech

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has called on the international community to team up in the efforts to stop the spread of disinformation and hate speech through the media, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a message publicised on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Minister Shahid said this is a day to defend the essential role played by a free and pluralistic press in upholding the values of human rights and democracy. He said as the world celebrates this occasion under this year’s theme “Information as a Public Good”, the Maldives recognises the informative power of media in shaping transparent political decisions and public debates that contribute to the common interests of all.

Speaking further, the foreign minister stated freedom of press requires constant protection like any other, adding this need has become more relevant than ever with the emergence of a diverse mediascape across the world. The minister noted the surge of disinformation and hate speech seen amidst the COVID-19 pandemic also calls for urgent re-evaluation of media corporations based on concrete codes of ethics. He said during this critical juncture, the international community must team up to stop disinformation and to ensure the credibility and accessibility of information disseminated by the media.

In his message, Minister Shahid highlighted that the Maldives has achieved remarkable progress in promoting media freedom, under the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. As such, the minister noted the Maldives currently stands at the 72nd place in the rankings of the World Press Freedom Index – a huge step forward from where the country was three years ago. He stated the advocacy of the government in re-enforcing the freedoms enshrined in the Maldivian constitution continues to grow stronger, through the repealing of draconian laws and cultivation of an environment that allows journalists to thrive. He affirmed the commitment of the administration to counter any challenges that hinder safe journalism and to champion freedom of expression both at home and abroad.

Concluding his message, Minister Shahid called for joint efforts to protect media professionals and raise awareness on the importance of a free press as a means of peace, justice and human rights for all.