Instead of calling for press fairness, people are calling for press freedom: Friday sermon

It has been noted in today’s Friday sermon that not much difference exists between the media policies of the western world and those of the Maldives, and that people in the Maldives are calling for press freedom instead of press fairness.

The Friday sermon delivered all over the Maldives today stated that in most western (European) countries, the media works for the material benefit of particular individuals, institutions or groups in the society.

“This is the situation of the media policies in the western world and sadly the policies in the Maldives are not much different. Instead of calling for press fairness, people are calling for press freedom,” he said.

The sermon further stated that personal and individuals’ interests are often prioritised by the media instead of the interests of the society as a whole.

Continuing in this regard, the Imam urged to refrain from spreading information before verifying and confirming the facts, in order to ensure press fairness.