RaajjeTV calls on MBC to reverse decision, issue formal apology

RaajjeTV has called on Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) to reverse their decision on the station regarding the broadcast of content that said US$ 1 million was deposited to a bank account of President Abdullah Yameen.

A statement released by the station said the investigation carried out by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had proven that the measures enacted by MBC on the station was devoid of legal basis and showed clear bias.

‘Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) had enacted harsh measures on RaajjeTV over the statements made by former Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Ali Waheed in the station’s Fala Surukhee program on February 9, 2016. In the program, Ali Waheed presented evidence that US$ 1 million was deposited to a bank account under President Abdullah Yameen,’ the statement read.

Following the broadcast, MBC had ordered RaajjeTV to issue a formal apology and ordering the station not to broadcast Fala Surukhee program without a time delay. The Commission said the content was a violation of broadcasting laws and code of practices for broadcasting.

Noting that RaajjeTV had always maintained the content was not a violation of broadcasting laws, the statement said RaajjeTV was penalized without referring to any of the points raised by the station.

‘A year and half after implementing the measure, investigations by an independent institution of the country, had proven the allegations were accurate. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation had revealed that a total of US$ 1 million was deposited, on two occasions, into the bank account opened in Maldives Islamic Bank under President Abdullah Yameen,’ the statement added.

RaajjeTV statement further marked that revelations put forth by ACC clearly shows the measures enacted by MBC on RaajjeTV were devoid of legal grounds, without consideration on what was fair and further proved that MBC is incapable of acting as an impartial body.

‘As a responsible broadcaster, RaajjeTV had brought forth the case with evidence from trusted and verified sources. The state has relevant bodies that can launch their own investigations if the case had national interest. Decision by MBC clearly shows that they had not waited for an investigation, to clarify the validity of the claims,’ it read.

It also noted the hasty decision by MBC lent support to public perception that MBC was incapable of carrying out their mandate devoid from political influence.

In light of the revelations, RaajjeTV had called on the Commission to issue an apology over the losses the station sustained due to their decision and to formally reverse their decision on RaajjeTV .

This is not the first time MBC had penalized the station. So far this year, RaajjeTV had been penalized by the Commission on three occasions, by a total of MVR 1.7 million.