The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) announced that it will not tolerate the insults and threats being shared on social media towards Maldivian journalists who went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the request of Eagle Hills.

The MMBC released its statement after receiving a letter from the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) addressed to the Commissioner of Police. In its statement, the Commission denounced the threats aimed at journalists, highlighting that it had noted instances of intimidation and harassment directed at reporters reporting on news and events.

“The Commission firmly denounces these reckless actions, particularly those that include insults and threats to life,” the statement read.

The MMBC further cautioned media organizations that broadcasters and media staff must not release or circulate content that is defamatory or obscene.

In their correspondence to the police commissioner, the MJA stated that images and footage were being shared on social media to undermine journalists involved in the media tour arranged by Eagle Hills in the UAE for the Rasmale project. The letter indicates that reporters are being called and disparaged as traitors, Zionists, and Jews.

The MJA stated that journalists operate under the editorial guidelines of their specific media organizations, noting that it is unacceptable for personal insults to be aimed at individual journalists fulfilling their professional duties. The association stated that such actions have instilled fear in journalists and their families and jeopardized their safety.

The MJA submitted three requests in its complaint: to regard the situation as urgent and initiate a formal inquiry into the individuals responsible for the campaigns; to perform an immediate security risk evaluation for the impacted journalists; and to guarantee sufficient police protection for them and their families.