Maldives falls 4 places in World Press Freedom Index

The Maldives has fallen four places in the latest World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, ranking 108th this year.

The report was released on Friday ahead of World Press Freedom Day and assesses media freedom conditions worldwide.

The Maldives was ranked 104th last year.

According to the index, the country’s overall score declined from 52.46 to 49.23.

RSF cited several factors affecting the Maldives’ ranking, including the continued existence of a provision in the Evidence Act requiring journalists to disclose sources.

The report also referred to legislation establishing a commission with regulatory powers over media outlets, including disciplinary authority.

It further noted concerns over the use of state advertising and subsidies as a means of influencing media organisations.

Among the index indicators, the Maldives recorded declines in four of five categories.

In political context, the country fell from 123rd to 129th.

In economic context, it dropped from 118th to 157th.

In legal framework, the ranking moved from 103rd to 126th.

In security and safety, it declined from 56th to 77th.

The only improvement was in social context, where the Maldives rose from 133rd to 118th.

The Maldives’ recent rankings in the index were:

The country’s lowest ranking in recent years was 120th in 2018. This year’s result is the lowest since then.