Skeelan documentary award case: gov’t directs ACC to raid MMC
The 11th Journalism Awards ceremony was broadcast live by Public Service Media (PSM)
G. Skeelan, step-mother of President Muizzu
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has raided the Maldives Media Council (MMC) following instructions from the government regarding the issue of the award conferred to ‘Adhadhu’ news’ investigative documentary ‘Skeelan’.
ACC has confirmed to RaajjeMV that they raided the media council.
An ACC media official revealed that they raided the Media Council on Monday in connection with a case submitted at the commission.
ACC's raid on the media council came following increased government pressure over the award given to the investigative production based on the deportation and blacklisting of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's stepmother, G Skeelan from the Maldives and her allegations against President Muizzu.
The 11th Journalism Awards ceremony was broadcasted live by Public Service Media (PSM) and the issue escalated when a clip from the ‘Skeelan’ documentary was featured, resulting in the sudden dismissal of Media Council President Ahmed Musthafa from his position at PSM.
However, he was later reinstated.
Ahmed Zameer, a parliamentarian representing the main ruling People's National Congress (PNC), has called for an immediate investigation into the documentary case.
MP Zameer has also urged ACC, which investigates corruption cases, to investigate the documentary issue "immediately" in his capacity as a lawmaker.
High-ranking government officials attended the ceremony where the ‘Skeelan’ documentary was awarded including Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim, Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Khaleel as well as Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Heena Waleed.
