Maldives - Overview of the

The general guarantees for freedom of expression and media freedom in the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives are largely in line with international standards, including in terms of the restrictions on these rights that they allow, although the guarantee for the right to information could be more comprehensive in nature. [...] When a State party invokes a legitimate ground for restriction of freedom of expression, it must demonstrate in specific and individualized fashion the precise nature of the threat, and the necessity and proportionality of the specific action taken, in particular by establishing a direct and immediate connection between the expression and the threat.38 Another good summary of this part of the test. [...] Jurisprudentially, the principle of media diversity derives from the multi-dimensional nature of the right which, as noted above, protects not only the right of the speaker (to ‘impart’ information and ideas) but also the right of the listener (to ‘seek and receive’ information and ideas).55 This prevents States from interfering with the right of listeners to seek and receive information from othe. [...] 15 Maldives: Overview of the Environment for Media Freedom Freedom of expression imposes an obligation on the authorities to take positive measures to promote diversity.57 The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has recognised that the right to seek and receive information and ideas requires the existence of a free and pluralistic media: It is the mass media that make the exercise of freedom of e. [...] This means that the conditions of its use must conform to the requirements of this freedom, with the result that there must be, inter alia, a plurality of means of communication, the barring of all monopolies thereof, in whatever form, and guarantees for the protection of the freedom and independence of journalists.58 Within the European context, the issue of media diversity as an aspect of the ri.