Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has said it will work to improve the Maldives’ position in world press freedom rankings after the country slipped this year.
Maldives ranked 108th in the latest World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, down four places from 104th last year. Its overall score also fell to 49.23 from 52.46.
In a statement marking International Press Freedom Day, the commission said it would prioritize strengthening the journalism sector and raising the country’s ranking.
“This year’s Press Freedom Day marks Maldives’ ranking of 108 in the Press Freedom Index. The commission is working to raise this ranking and further strengthen the journalism sector,” it said.
MMBC described journalism as “a beacon of peace and a shield of human rights”, adding that journalists play a key role in holding the state accountable and empowering citizens.
According to the index, press freedom in the Maldives has deteriorated across several key indicators.
The political environment ranking slipped from 123rd to 129th, while the economic context saw a sharper decline, falling from 118th to 157th, reflecting growing financial pressures on journalism.
The legal framework also worsened significantly, dropping from 103rd to 126th. In terms of safety, the country fell from 56th to 77th, indicating increased concerns over the security of journalists.
The only improvement was recorded in the social indicator, where the Maldives rose from 133rd to 118th.
Reporters Without Borders noted that earlier reforms including the repeal of the defamation law under the previous administration, which had posed challenges to press freedom had marked an improvement in the media environment. However, it said subsequent changes under the current government had altered this trajectory.
The organization also raised concerns over later measures, including provisions that could compel journalists to reveal their sources, as well as the establishment of a media commission, which journalists had previously criticized.
