The Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) Parliamentary Group (PG) has requested state media Public Service Media News (PSM) an explanation as to why the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) got the opportunity to air their campaigns via PSM during the previous Presidential Election, but no other political party did.
North Galolhu constituency MP and MDP's SG Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo) sent a letter today to PSM's Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb.
The law states that keeping the public informed regarding national news, information and ongoing matters is a responsibility of the state media. The law also states that the media are to create equal opportunities to individuals and various organizations.
Issues regarding MDP not being given their opportunity to disseminate information regarding the referendum vote, a vote that took place on 4th April, in holding the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on the same day came to light.
MDP leadership members attempted to enter PSM's television building in order to meet with PSM heads regarding the matter, with altercations having taken place on that day.
According to the letter sent by MDP's SG, PSM had not disseminated the expected amount of information to the public regarding the referendum vote.
"When looking at the state media's policies, it is the obligation of the state media to inform the public regarding matters of faith, the economy, society, politics, industrial information useful for the country, international matters that would be deemed important in building up aware and informed citizens, and various national news, information and ongoing matters," as was written in the letter.
However, the letter highlights that PSM had only offered such an opportunity to certain parties and their political affairs.
The letter outlines that this was not how it was done before, that MDP's PG group wants to have a discussion with PSM heads, to clarify as to why this is how things are being done now and to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.
Provisional results for the referendum vote shows that 70 percent of people oppose it.
