Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 22
Political Influences: 20
Economic Pressures: 19
Total Score: 61
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 61
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab
Capital: Male
The penal code bans speech and publications that could "arouse people against the government." The law authorizes officials to shut down newspapers and sanction journalists for insulting Islam, threatening national security, or libel. Regulations make editors responsible for the content of their publications. Journalists consequently practice self-censorship. No banning of newspapers or imprisonment of journalists was reported in 2001. Most major media outlets are owned by the government or its allies, although they do criticize officials at times. Newspapers such as the daily Aafathis criticize government policy. The state-run television news and public affairs programs discuss timely issues and criticize government performance. That station and the state-run Voice of the Maldives radio station are the only broadcast media.
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