The Civil Court has rejected RaajjeTV’s request to issue an order for the privately-run TV station to postpone the payment of the MVR 2 million fine imposed by Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom).
RaajjeTV had submitted the request to the court, stating that Broadcom was fining the TV station unconstitutionally.
RaajjeTV expressed concern over the rejection of the TV station’s case and released a press statement on Wednesday.
In the statement, RaajjeTV stated that the broadcasting commission’s action falls outside legal and Constitutional boundaries and that RaajjeTV had requested to postpone the fine payment as the TV station is further looking into the illegality of the commission’s actions.
“It is certain that the Broadcasting Commission is continuing its agenda to harm RaajjeTV because its members do not believe that anything can be done by the TV station to receive any form of justice. Their actions are a means to create fear, ruin press freedom, and prevent citizens from receiving information ahead of the presidential election by eliminating RaajjeTV, since it believes that people turn to the station to receive accurate information,” declared RaajjeTV.
The court stated that any appeal on a fine imposed over a violation of the Anti-Defamation Act should be submitted after the fine is paid in full within the deadline.
Whilst Broadcom has penalized RaajjeTV four times, the commission denies any personal feud against the TV station.
Broadcom stated that the Anti-Defamation fine was imposed after the TV station aired an opposition-aligned politician’s statement during a rally on March 16, that was deemed to have defamed President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and threatened national security.
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