Maldives broadcasting regulator Wednesday warned of increasing libel complaints and urged broadcasters to pay more heed to the newly enforced defamation law.
The law, which the government pushed through its control in the parliament despite widespread international criticism, criminalises speech deemed to be defamatory, to comment against “any tenet of Islam”, to “threaten national security” or to “contradict general social norms”. Those committing an offence under the bill can face fines and failure to pay the fine will result in jail sentence of three to six months.
The bill now compels journalists to reveal their sources to prove the veracity of their published articles, news reports or comments and allows for media licenses to be cancelled in addition to the criminal liability faced by individual journalists.
The dangerous new provisions greatly hinder the functioning of an independent media devoid of intimidation and is less about providing redress for victims of defamation.
Those found guilty of breaking the new law will be fined between 50,000 Maldivian rufiya ($3,200) and 2 million rufiya ($130,000) or face a jail term of between three and six months.
In a statement, Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) said the commission had been receiving complaints of libel and requests to take action against TV and radio stations.
The commission also urged broadcasters to be weary when re-broadcasting foreign content.
The warning comes in the wake of an imminent documentary made by Al Jazeera which it claims would uncover new evidence of mass corruption in the Maldives.
Created by the Emmy and BAFTA winning Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit, the documentary would be aired on September 9.
The invitation for the release of the documentary, titled ‘Stealing Paradise’ has been opened publicly.
The invitation card claims that “Al Jazeera has uncovered new evidence of corruption, theft and abuse of power. The award winning investigative team reveals how a president hijacked a nation and millions of dollars were stolen”.
The hugely anticipated documentary is believed to have been made on the largest embezzlement of state funds in the history of the tiny island nation which has been heavily linked to president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
An official audit report had revealed that over USD79 million had been embezzled through the state tourism promotion company.
President Yameen had been questioned by the corruption watchdog over a transaction that a company involved in the scandal had made to his personal account in the Islamic Bank.
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