Media should not be used for libel and slander- CJ

Chief Judge Ahmed Faiz Hussain has said that the media should not be used as a tool to spread libelous statements and slander against people.

Chief Judge Faiz made this remark at the special ceremony held to award certificates to journalists who participated in “Court House Coverage Training Program” conducted by Department of Judicial Administration.

Faiz noted that the Maldivian media have sadly been open to spread such slander and the freedom of media is being misused by some. He said that media should not be used to injure the reputation and damage personalities.

Faiz underscored the importance of balanced and objective when reporting news. He said that reports should be scrupulously checked for validation and rechecked before publishing them.

The Chief Judge said that some areas of the system in Maldives are sadly allow people to write whatever that comes to their minds. He said that then this is sent to an institution and to the media and when the media publishes it without verifying the report the agenda of the person who wrote it is fulfilled. And this ruin that the reputation of that person’s opponent, he said.

Faiz said that the media should pay attention to this and should take heed when publishing reports.