Parliament erupted in outrage on Wednesday after Parliamentary Group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, representing the ruling party PNC, suggested that journalists should not merely be jailed, but impaled. His remarks came during a debate on the government’s controversial Media Bill, which critics say aims to tighten state control over the media.
Falah’s shocking statement has sparked widespread condemnation from journalists, civil society groups, and social media users, raising fears about the growing threat to press freedom in the Maldives.
މީޑިއާ ގެންގޮސް ޖަލަކަަށް ނޫން އުލުބައިންދަންވީ – ޕީއެންސީގެ ތާއިދު އޮތްކަން ހާމަކުރަމުން އެ ޕާޓީގެ ޕާލިމެންޓްރީ ގްރޫޕްގެ ލީޑަރު ފަލާހު ވިދާޅުވި.
ނޯޓް: އުލުބޭންދުމަކީ އިހު ޒަމާނުގައި މީހުން މަރަން ހަދާގޮތެއް ކަމުގައި ބުނެވޭ ގޮތެއް. pic.twitter.com/MDozgFuGZX
— Adhadhu (@AdhadhuMV) August 27, 2025
In a post on X Dhauru journalist Ahmed Naif (@naaif) said that “The ruling party’s parliamentary group leader from the PNC is calling for journos to be subjected to a medieval execution method, which is very dangerous.
Journalist Nahudha Faiz described the statement as “fascism laid bare,” warning that every citizen should be alarmed. Aminath Lamha Aslam highlighted the government’s hypocrisy, noting that while ordinary citizens are jailed over social media posts, a man openly calling for executions faces no consequences.
The Maldives Journalists Association issued a strong statement, calling Falah’s remarks “dangerous and unacceptable.” The association demanded that the ruling party take immediate disciplinary action and that Falah issue a full public apology.
MJA Condemns Majority Leader Falah’s Call to ‘Impale’ Journalists
MJA unequivocally condemns the threatening and inciteful statements made today by Parliamentary Majority Leader Ibrahim Falah on the floor of Parliament.
During the debate on the media control bill, Mr. Falah… pic.twitter.com/8QA3smllx7
— Maldives Journalists Association (@mjamaldives) August 27, 2025
Transparency Maldives also expressed concern, emphasizing that rhetoric inciting violence has no place in a democratic society and that press freedom must be protected.
We are gravely concerned by the remarks of Parliamentary Majority Leader Ibrahim Falah targeting journalists. We reiterate @mjamaldives’ concerns that rhetoric inciting violence has no place in our democracy and underscore the importance of safeguarding press freedom. https://t.co/YIZsCDsatn
— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) August 28, 2025
The Media Bill, already widely criticized, grants the government sweeping powers to fine, suspend, and block media outlets. Falah’s violent remarks while supporting the bill reveal the ruling party’s true intentions,not media regulation, but control through fear.
Experts say this combination of legislative power and violent rhetoric is unprecedented in Maldivian politics and represents a direct threat to democracy.
President Muizzu has repeatedly promised transparency and respect for freedoms. Yet, with his party leader calling for the execution of journalists and facing no consequences, these promises appear hollow.
Civil society leaders warn that if this rhetoric goes unchecked, it signals a dangerous path for the Maldives: first, journalists, then anyone who dares to speak out.
