Committee summons MMC over ‘Skeelan’ documentary in closed-door meeting
The proposal was backed by PNC lawmaker Ibrahim Hussain, MP for South Fuvahmulah constituency
MMC members summoned by the committee over the issue of the 'Skeelan' documentary
The Independent Institutions Committee of the People's Majlis has summoned the Maldives Media Council (MMC) regarding the issue of the controversial ‘Skeelan’ documentary for a closed-door meeting.
MMC was summoned to the Independent Institutions Committee of the People’s Majlis at 11:30 am on Wednesday.
The council was summoned in connection with issues submitted to the People's Majlis.
This includes the matter of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's stepmother, G. Skeelan, being blacklisted and deported from the Maldives, and the issue of the investigative production ‘Skeelan’ receiving an award, which is based on her allegations against President Muizzu.
The proposal to make the committee that summoned MMC members confidential was made by main-ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) lawmaker Ibrahim Didi, MP for Kolamaafushi constituency.
The proposal was backed by PNC lawmaker Ibrahim Hussain, MP for South Fuvahmulah constituency.
The proposal to make the committee confidential was made due to the presence of conflict-of-interest issues within the committee.
When the proposal was put to a vote, committee members unanimously passed the decision to hold the committee meeting behind closed doors.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) raided MMC following instructions from the government regarding the issue of the award conferred to ‘Adhadhu’ news’ investigative documentary ‘Skeelan’ earlier this month.
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 Muizzu's stepmother, G. Skeelan, from the Maldives and her allegations against the president.
The 11th Journalism Awards ceremony was broadcast 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.
