Police: Some reporters acted like protesters

Some of the reporters who covered the opposition’s demonstration in Male’ City last Friday behaved like the protesters themselves, says Maldives Police Service.

In a press statement this Saturday, Maldives Police Service said it has noticed some of the reporters who covered the demonstration behaved like the protesters themselves, and some media stations are spreading misinformation to the public.

The Maldives Police Service appealed to media stations not to spread information, and appealed for reporters to maintain professionalism when covering demonstrations.

MPS reiterated its earlier statement the authority will not allow any demonstrations planned during the State of Emergency as the freedom to demonstrate (under Article 31 of the Constitution) and freedom of assembly (under Article 32 of the Constitution) have been suspended for the duration of the State of Emergency.

“We note that demonstrations and confrontations with security forces have taken place in parts of Male’ City, organized by some politicians, in direct violation of the aforementioned instruction, in order to create turmoil,” said MPS in its statement.

“We also note some of the reporters who covered the demonstration behaved like protestors.”

Some reporters who covered the demonstrations which took place in Male’ City on Friday and Friday night suffered varying degrees of injuries as they were pushed back, and as some of them were arrested by the police.

Some reporters were treated for their injuries at the hospital.