Adhadhu journalists are prohibited from participating in press conferences at the President’s Office.

In a communication to the media, the President’s Office stated that police had notified them of an ongoing investigation in the Criminal Court regarding video content shared through an Adhadhu social-media account. The message additionally mentioned that the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission is looking into a connected case.

The President’s Office stated that during the press conference at 10:00 am on Monday, Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahuzan breached a Criminal Court order linked to the current case. Referencing Article 13 of the Regulations regarding Attendance and Coverage of Press Conferences from the Office of the President, the Office announced that journalists from Adhadhu will be prohibited from attending any press conferences organized by the Office starting Monday.

The directive was given after Adhadhu reporter Mohamed Shahuzan was removed from Monday’s briefing for questioning President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, which he claimed violated a court order. The decision has raised alarms among media-rights advocates, who highlight that the Constitution protects journalists' rights to interrogate public officials and that limitations on press access, particularly those related to court directives, may deter reporting on politically sensitive matters.

Legal specialists note that the Criminal Court's directive arrives as the administration is under public examination due to claims of judicial interference, and restricting access to presidential press briefings related to an ongoing case could elevate concerns regarding transparency.