A People’s Majlis committee has voted to request that the Maldives Media Council (MMC) conduct an investigation into media coverage of the crisis at the state children’s shelter Fiyavathi.
During a meeting of the Committee on Human Rights and Gender on Sunday, South-Fuvahmulah MP Mohamed Mumthaz proposed that the MMC investigate the media coverage of the incident, claiming that certain media outlets’ coverage of the Fiyavathi crisis violated protocol by posting photographs and videos of the incident on their personal social media accounts.
He also stated that a Male’ councilor was there at the site and attempted to communicate with the children as well as allow visitors into the shelter’s compound. He urged that the councilor’s matter be sent to the Local Government Authority (LGA) for investigation.
Both of MP Mumthaz’s recommendations were accepted by the parliament’s Committee on Human Rights and Gender.
Concerning the situation at the children’s shelter, the Child and Family Protection Service issued a statement noting that some children have been displaying difficulties over the previous three days and urging the public not to record, videotape, or give the minors an audience as this may further agitate the children.
The Ministry of Gender, Family, and Social Services initiated action against the media in June 2021 for allegedly violating child rights in their coverage of the murder of a 13-year-old boy in Male’ City.
