MJA condemns PNC PG Leader Falah's call to 'impale' journalists

Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has condemned ruling People's National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah's statement in yesterday's parliament sitting, where he stated that journalists should be 'impaled'.

"We consider this a direct and dangerous incitement of violence against journalists and media outlets in the Maldives," a statement from the MJA reads. 

MJA called on PNC to take disciplinary action against Falah, as well as demanding a public apology from the MP. 

In yesterday's extraordinary sitting of the parliament, held while parliament was in recess, the debate on the media control bill was held before a vote passing the bill and forwarding it to the Independent Institutions Committee for review. 

Speaking in the debate, Falah declared that it was a crucial bill, stating he did not believe it posed any obstruction to media. 

"I do not believe this bill poses any obstruction to any persons working in media. I do not believe it poses undeserved penalties against anyone," he said. 

Falah maintained that discussions can be held during the committee stage if any amendments are recommended. 

He further stated that the media had previously targeted him, portraying him as homosexual—a depiction that had distressed his family.

If such things are done, then instead of being jailed, media personnel must be 'impaled', he repeated said on the parliament floor. 

"When they work at this level, we should not just put media in jail. We should impale them, Speaker. We should straightaway impale those that work this way," Falah said. 

However, the allegations of Falah being homosexual were not reported in media, but rather was circulated on social media. 

As per the Dhivehi dictionary (radheef), 'ulubeyndhun' (impalement) is a medieval form of execution. 

In addition to the Maldives Journalists Association, the public have also strongly criticized Falah's statement. Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has also released a statement condemning his words. 

The issue was also taken up at a press conference held last night by the Maldives Media Council, who also called for a public apology from Falah.