State takes RaajjeTV to court over MVR 2,000 fine
29 މާރިޗު 2018 | ބުރާސްފަތި 03:35During the dispute resolution stage, RaajjeTV’s management requested that the deadline to pay the fine be pushed back
RaajjeTV\'s on-air control room
State prosecutors have requested a court trial over RaajjeTV’s MVR 2,000 fine for suspending its regular broadcast over threats.
During the dispute resolution stage, RaajjeTV’s management requested that the deadline to pay the fine be pushed back, since neither party suffered any damages due to the broadcast suspension. But State prosecutors have declined.
The broadcasting commission imposed the fine on February 22, claiming that its suspension of broadcasting regular content violates their code of conduct. RaajjeTV has denied violating any of the commission’s regulations.
On February 8, RaajjeTV suspended its regular broadcast during the state of emergency after receiving threats, including calls for violence against its staff and to burn down the station by a mob gathered in front of RaajjeTV.
This was backed up by public appeals to the broadcast regulator, police and military by ruling party lawmakers and senior government officials to shut down RaajjeTV.
Instead of the regular content, RaajjeTV broadcast a message which reads: RaajjeTV suspends regular broadcast due to continued threats on independent journalism, this station, and our staff, given that the police have stopped providing security and in light of the military's warning to have media outlets penalized without prior notice.
RaajjeTV has been fined several times by the commission with amounts totaling MVR 1.7 million.
