The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

State media fined MVR200K over defaming ex-home minister

Fathmath Shaahunaz
25 July 2017, MVT 16:59
PSM officials at parliament committee meeting.
Fathmath Shaahunaz
25 July 2017, MVT 16:59

Maldives Broadcasting Commission penalised state media Public Service Media (PSM) by MVR 200,000 on Tuesday over airing defamatory content against the former Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer.

However, the Broadcasting Commission has not confirmed whether action was also taken against local television channel, Channel 13, which broadcasted the same content in the same time slot.

Umar Naseer himself had filed the issue at the Broadcasting Commission, claiming that Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falaah had defamed him during a rally of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) on April 4 which was aired live on PSM’s TVM channel and Channel 13. The commission confirmed that it was probing the case on April 18.

In a statement released after closing the case, Broadcasting Commission declared that TVM has violated the Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act under Subject 27 of broadcasting regulations.

The commission has granted PSM a period of 30 days to settle the fine.

The Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act, which curtails media freedom and journalism, stipulates that penalties must be settled before the case can be appealed at court.

According to the commission, PSM has admitted to broadcasting MP Falaah’s remarks which defamed Umar Naseer. The commission added that PSM has been unable to provide any evidence in defence of the content.

In his talk, MP Falaah alleged that corruption had been involved when Umar Naseer, during his tenure as home minister, awarded the tasks and activities of the Independence 50 celebrations in 2016 to various contractors.

Umar has also filed the case at Maldives Police Service.

While the pro-government Channel 13 had also aired the PPM rally, Broadcasting Commission has not yet disclosed details of that investigation.

MORE ON NEWS