Space to criticize government should exist: MDP

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the Maldivian Constitution guarantees the right of free speech to every Maldivian and the government should ensure that people are free to criticize the government.

Regarding the Maldivian government's decision to block two websites operating within the country without registering with the authorities, the MDP stated that they have always advocated for an environment where people are free to criticize the government.

The party emphasized that they do not believe a community without a platform for people to express their views is a democratic one.

Therefore, MDP emphasized that it ensured the maintenance of free speech during both of its previous administrations. Even amid targeted attacks against the administration, including the spread of fake news, they assert that their administrations did not take any action against those expressing dissenting views.

“Threatening the media and taking action against them is a hallmark of a government that intimidates,” MDP said in a statement.

While emphasizing the importance of opportunities to criticize the government, the MDP stated that the current administration is behaving similarly to the previous administration of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). They allege that the current government is working to stifle both written and spoken criticisms. The party added that they are observing instances where, instead of responding to criticisms, dissenting voices are being forcefully suppressed.

MDP called the current administration to stop narrowing the right to free speech within the country.

Regarding the current administration blocking two websites, the Maldives Media Council, Maldives Journalists Association, and Editor’s Guild have called this an obstacle to free speech and expressed their concerns.

The government's response to the criticism is that they will not be taking any steps against media outlets that have been duly registered.

The two blocked websites are dhiyavaru.com and kurusee.com, both of which have been known for heavy criticism of the government.