Maldives slips 13 ranks in press freedom index

Maldives has slipped 13 ranks to 100th position in the annual World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its new ranking published on Wednesday. 

In 2022, the country was ranked 87th in the World Press Freedom Index, which is updated to coincide with World Press Freedom Day every year on May 3.

However, the country's position in the World Press Freedom Index 2023 has dropped to the 100th position, placing the Maldives in the "problematic" category which includes countries with barriers and challenges to press freedom.

This is the second consecutive year that the Maldives' position in the World Press Freedom Index has dropped.

Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF's Asia-Pacific desk, said the Maldives' 13 points fall from last year reflects a slight deterioration in the press freedom situation as the country is placed in the middle of the ranking, its position is automatically subject to greater movement.

This can be explained by a certain loss of momentum in the policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, as the promises he made in favour of press freedom have not all been kept, he added.

"Among the worrying indicators, the legal framework has deteriorated, with the enactment of the Evidence Act. Even though amendments have been made to the Act, it still poses the risk of violating the confidentiality of journalists' sources," Bastard said. 

"Journalists' safety remains worrying, with several violent threats against several journalists and an ongoing situation of impunity for the disappearance of Ahmed Rilwan and the murder of Yameen Rasheed."

The Maldives' position in the World Press Freedom Index improved after this government came to power, including repealing the defamation law.