It has been revealed that the President’s Office has showered Maldives Media Council (MMC) with complaints related to local media houses.
According to statistics publicized by MMC on Wednesday, the President’s Office has filed the highest number of complaints regarding media houses, so far this year.
MMC revealed that they received a total of 79 complaints, out of which most were filed by the President's Office, at 74.
A special department was established to manage and monitor the operations of media houses in Maldives at the President’s Office and several have landed jobs at this particular department.
RaajjeMV understands that the most important responsibility of the department is to influence local media houses.
It has also come to light that the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has instructed government offices and state institutions to examine the extent to which state-sponsored media houses promote the government.
As such, the government forwarded a letter to government institutions and ministries on June 24, signed by Minister at the President's Office for Strategic Communication Ibrahim Khaleel, highlighting that they have been monitoring and taking note of the extent to which media outlets sponsored by state institutions and ministries promote the government.
According to MMC’s statistics the greatest number of complaints was filed against Dhiyavaru Online, at 59. Out of these, MMC has probed 30 complaints so far, out of which they have decided against the media house in 20 cases.
Complaints have also been lodged against ‘Dhon Amaa’, ‘Dhunmaari’, ’13 Online’ and ‘Kurusee.com’.
RaajjeMV understands that while the government has been filing complaints against private media outlets, government ministries and companies are sponsoring only media outlets that are greenlighted by the President's Office.
Further, it has been revealed that the President’s Office has been summoning some media houses and giving them instructions on how to publish articles on certain “special” issues.
