The Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam has issued a firm call for ethical journalism, stating that media professionals must hold themselves to a higher standard than those who spread misinformation.
The Minister's comments were made in a detailed social media post, where he framed the discussion within the context of constitutional rights and Islamic principles. Minister Shiyam affirmed that freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. However, he emphasised that these freedoms exist alongside the equally guaranteed rights to privacy and the protection of one’s name and reputation.
"No one, including the President of the country, is exempt from ensuring these rights," he said, insisting that these freedoms are not a license for slander and accuse anyone of adultery without evidence.
Drawing on religious doctrine, the Minister highlighted that Qazf (false accusation of adultery) and adultery itself are grave crimes in Islam, for which a very high standard of evidence is required.
"One of the purposes of Islamic Shari'ah is to protect people's reputation. We are 100 per cent Muslims and it is unacceptable to slander people’s reputation, and particularly the reputation of the head of an Islamic state, in the name of freedom of expression and press,” he said.
He characterised such actions as unacceptable and unwelcome in Maldivian society, urging journalists to be more civilised and responsible than those who encourage such obscenities and spread false news.
Despite the strong criticism, Minister Shiyam reiterated the government’s commitment to a free press. He asserted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration will not interfere with freedom of the press and noted that the President himself works closely with journalists.
The government, he said, will always welcome responsible journalism to the widest possible extent.
The Minister concluded by asserting that the country's President is currently facing unjust attacks and slander in the name of freedom of the press. He called for journalism to be a profession that delivers verified information to the public, ensuring that the exercise of free speech does not become the point where the rights and freedoms of others are deprived and tarnished.