Maldives Update: May 7, 2007.

The polarised media environment in Maldives, has denied the public a true account on the death of Hussein Salah. On one side, websites screamed blue murder, and on the other, state media withheld information and allowed the police exclusive access to TV Maldives.
Will Jordan, The Salah Saga: The Use And Abuse Of The Media, Minivan News, May 7, 2007.

International Federation for Journalist’s director for Asia-Pacific has described South Asia as being one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work in the world. The IFJ report, claims that the Maldives press freedom record was dismal with constant harassment of journalists.
Kalinga Seneviratne, Media experts criticise “one-sided” Media Freedom Report on South Asia, Daily News, May 7, 2007.

The information minister of Maldives countered the argument saying that he has 6 bills in parliament designed to liberalise the media environment in this far-stretched archipelago of 240,000 people.

“Over the past several years, a modest expansion of media diversity has been met by official crackdowns and harassment of journalists. Freedom of expression and of the press is not provided for in the constitution and are generally not respected by the government in practice,” said Freedom House in its Global Press Freedom Survey released on May 2.
Will Jordan, Press Freedom Day: Opposing Views, Minivan News, May 5, 2007.

On the press freedom day, Aishath Aniya, a journalist was arrested and lifted into the back of a police van in connection with an article she wrote in the paper published March 20, which was seen to be "against Islam.
Ajay Makan, World Press Freedom Day: Protest, Walkout, Arrest And A Possible Deportation, Minivan News, May 3, 2007.

Meanwhile Cartoonist and opposition activist Ahmed Abbas was released from Maafushi prison on 3 May on completing a six-month sentence for saying in Minivan Daily that opposition activists should resist police violence.

Also See:
Kalinga Seneviratne, Report on Media Freedom Under Flak, Inter Press Service, May 7, 2007.