Editors decide to form an Editors Guild

Editors of all media operators in the country have come together to form an “Editors Guild”, to stand up against the recent challenges faced by journalists and media operators.

Editors said via a Press Release today that the recent increase in physical violence against reporters could cause them psychological fear, which could in turn make them hesitant in seeking and reporting information.

They also said that this would obstruct the conveyance of truthful information to the public. Furthermore, the continued violence against journalists could kill the future of journalism in the country.

They condemned the attacks against journalists, their equipment and their offices, and said that citing the news broadcasted by media operators as a reason for violence against them is a terrible and dangerous recent development.

They called for an end to such attacks and said that the equipments used by journalists are tools used for the benefit of Maldivian citizens, to bring them necessary and true information.

The Editors further said that difference in opinions should not be a problem, and that people should learn to respect each other’s views.

The Editors further called the relevant authorities to put an end to the attacks which are indirect efforts to end independent journalism. They called the government to facilitate the practice of independent and safe journalism in order to complete the fundamentals of this infant democracy.