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 second closed-door meeting.
MP for Kelaa constituency Abdulla Shareef proposed to hold Thursday’s committee meeting behind closed doors. However, he failed to explain why the committee needed to be held behind closed doors.
MP Shareef’s proposal was backed by MP for South Fuvahmulah constituency Ibrahim Hussain.
Parliamentarians representing the government in the committee voted to hold the meeting behind closed doors.
The only lawmaker representing main-opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the committee, MP for South Galolhu constituency Meekail Ahmed Naseem, voted against holding a closed-door meeting.
The first meeting was held at 11:30am on Wednesday and that meeting was also held behind closed doors. 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 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.
