Maldives: Covering Protests, Maathu Hussain Pushed to the Ground by Police Officer
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by increasing assaults on press covering demonstrations and urges police to respect journalists
Location: Maldives, Malé
Date: July 20, 2023
Sangu News reporter Maathu Hussain was pushed to the ground by a police officer when covering opposition-led protests. Assaults on media workers reporting on demonstrations have escalated in recent months. The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges police to act with restraint and respect the press’ right to report.
On July 20, a Maldives Police Service (MPS) officer grabbed a cameraperson from Channel 13, pushing him away from a protest. The cameraperson fell into journalist Maathu Hussain and an activist, causing all three to fall. Both media workers were wearing press cards that clearly identified them as members of the media.
The journalists were covering a demonstration organized by the Progressive Coalition — composed of opposition parties PPM and PNC — who were protesting the charges leveled at former President Abdullah Yameen that prevent him from running in September’s presidential elections.
A video of the police officer’s assault on Sangu News’ Maathu Hussain, the cameraperson, and the activist circulated on social media, resulting in an outcry from local media and press freedom organizations.
Cameraperson and journalist Maathu Hussain assaulted by police, July 20, 2023, Malé
The Maldives police commissioner has ordered an investigation into the incident and suspended the officer responsible.
Press Freedom Backsliding in Maldives
Journalists and media outlets are facing increased violence and harassment from the police. Instances of police assaulting journalists and detaining them have been reported, while editors from a news outlet have received death threats allegedly linked to their reporting.
In February 2023, a reporter from Channel 13, Shaheed, and media worker Misbaah were assaulted, pepper sprayed, and received physical blows from the police while covering a joint rally by opposition parties — People's Party of the Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC). Similarly, in March, Avas’ journalist Hussain Juman was assaulted and briefly detained by the police while covering a PPM rally in Malé.
The Maldives dropped 15 places in the World Press Freedom Index in 2022, reversing the progress made in previous years. One contributing factor to the decline in media freedoms is the government's failure to amend a controversial law that would require journalists and media outlets to disclose their sources. The law — known as the Evidence Bill — came into effect in January 2023 and can lead to jail sentences for journalists who don't comply.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is concerned about the number of attacks on press workers in the Maldives in recent months and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We strongly denounce the assault by local police on Maathu Hussain and call on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.