President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that while the media is a right, it is also a responsibility, and must function as a force that reveals the truth while upholding trust and integrity.

In his message marking World Press Freedom Day, the President expressed pride in the growth of the Maldivian media industry and the increasing number of young people entering the field. He noted that the Maldives currently holds one of the highest numbers of media outlets relative to its population size.

The President assured his administration's commitment to sustaining media freedom, providing training for journalists, and facilitating opportunities to strengthen relations with international media counterparts.

"An independent media is a right and a responsibility. The Maldivian media must be a force that reveals the truth and, in doing so, upholds trust and integrity. It must also be a force that maintains the values and standards accepted by Maldivians. My government always welcomes constructive criticism aimed at holding the government accountable and maintaining transparency and good governance," the President said.Reflecting on global challenges, the President expressed deep concern over the deliberate targeting and killing of journalists in various parts of the world without investigation, stating that such atrocities are unacceptable in the modern world. He called for an immediate end to crimes against journalists.

He also cautioned against the use of Deepfakes and Artificial Intelligence as weapons for spreading misinformation in a globalized society. He urged journalists to be more vigilant in delivering accurate information and news to the public.

Highlighting government initiatives, the President stated that his administration is providing unprecedented attention to the sector. He mentioned that promises to develop a "Media Village" and allocate a specific percentage of the state budget to media through a transparent mechanism are being fulfilled to ensure financial independence. The Media Village is expected to open and begin services for local media outlets soon.

The President concluded by noting that journalism should be a field where professionals can build a dignified life. He acknowledged the challenges of sustaining media outlets in a small population and reaffirmed the government's goal of building an educated generation of media professionals capable of keeping pace with global advancements.