Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) on Wednesday night warned pro-government television station Channel 13 that action would be taken if unlawful content were broadcast.
The warning came after the Elections Commission (EC) filed a complaint at Broadcom earlier the same night, over Channel 13 airing photographs of EC's members who are currently abroad, and implying that they have fled the country. According to EC's President Ahmed Shareef, the channel is featuring their photographs on a corner of the screen with the caption "Members accused of fleeing".
In response, Broadcom advised Channel 13 in a letter to ensure that its content did not violate the Broadcasting Act, broadcasting's Code of Practice, and the Freedom of Speech and Defamation Act. The commission also advised the station to practise broadcast delay when airing protests and rallies, in accordance with the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act.
Furthermore, Broadcom urged Channel 13 to refrain from broadcasting any content that could compromise the peace and harmony of the nation amidst the current political strife, warning that legal action will be taken against all entities that broadcast unlawful content.
Four other cases have also been submitted at Broadcom, over Channel 13 airing "defamatory" content and groundless accusations against EC's members
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