RaajjeTV has opened its defamation fund after the MVR 2 million fine issued by the Broadcasting Commission.

The fund was officially opened in front of the TV station on Friday evening by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the presidential candidate of the opposition coalition parties.

At the same time, Faisal Naseem, the opposition coalition’s running mate, opened another fund for RaajjeTV in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru.

Numerous citizens have begun donating to the RaajjeTV fund after their opening in Male’ and Hinnavaru.

Broadcasting commission issued the MVR 2 million fine, the maximum allowed, against RaajjeTV for airing a politician’s statement at an opposition rally that defamed President Abdulla Yameen.

RaajjeTV stated that the fund box is a refusal to abide by Broadcom’s groundless penalties and was opened as a safeguard from any financial difficulties that the TV station might face.

RaajjeTV asks the citizens to reach out to the station in order to organize the setting up of fund boxes in outlying atolls if they wish to help. As such, citizens may contact RaajjeTV through 3007771 if they wish to acquire further information.

RaajjeTV had on Wednesday released a statement revealing that the station does not accept the fine imposed on it by Broadcom, going on to say that this is a “calculated and well-coordinated attack to obstruct its efforts to make President Yameen’s government accountable" ahead of the September polls. The station believes that this is a pure act of intimidation stained with political influence and cowardice.