MJA warns of ‘alarming’ rise in harassment targeting female journalists

Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has expressed deep concern over a rise in acts of harassment targeting female journalists – especially over social media platforms - in recent months.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, MJA said that it has noticed an alarming increase in acts of harassment targeting female journalists in the last two to three months.

It highlighted several such incidents, where female journalists were targeted over various social media platforms.

This includes a post shared by an anonymous account on X on Wednesday, targeting Fathimath Madhadha, a journalist at SanguTV.

“This post referred to her coverage of the President’s recent tours. We also found many people wrote harassing remarks in the comments,” said the MJA.

The MJA also highlighted on four other recent incidents. They are:

• A series of harassing posts made by a businessman on X after he was questioned by Aidha Abdul Hakeel, an editor at Rivaayaa News.
• The move by the police to force Shama Shuaib, a journalist at AsluTV, to delete photos she took of a drug operation conducted by the police in a street in Male’ City.
• Social media harassment and threats against Laisha Ahmed Zaki, a journalist at SanguTV.
• Social media harassments and threats against Asima Nizar, a journalist at Mihaaru News and a member of MJA’s executive committee, following a news report she wrote.

MJA said it strongly condemns acts of harassment and intimidation against female journalists, and find personal attacks on journalists and targeting them over the work they do unacceptable.

“This association believes that these acts are tactics used by some to hinder journalism and psychologically weaken and oppress journalists,” said the MJA.

The MJA added that given the low representation of women in journalism, such targeted attacks of harassment against female journalists will deter the handful of female journalists working in the field and discourage more women from entering the field.

The association urged people against engaging in such acts of harassment. It also urged the police to treat such cases with seriousness and to take effective measures to stop such acts.

Maldives has gone down in the World Press Freedom Index released annually by Reporters Without Borders. According to the 2024 report, Maldives slipped six ranks in the World Press Freedom Index, dropping from 100th rank in 2023 to 106th in 2024.