Hangnaameedhoo residents have set up a donation box to supplement RaajjeTV’s fundraising drive to pay off an exorbitant fine imposed against the station by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission.

The setting up of the donation box was an initiative of the station’s viewers in the island, the Alif Dhaal atoll island’s local government council said.

The commission slammed Raajje Television with a fine of MVR 2 million, its fourth fine against the station. The fine was imposed on the grounds of defamation, over comments made by a protester at a rally broadcast live by the station.

Since the decision, the station has said that the fine is the result of unfair proceedings and has described it as a political attempt to cripple the station.

Further, the Civil Court this week rejected a case filed by the station seeking to reopen investigation into the case and asking for an injunction to halt payment until court proceedings are complete.

Last week, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the fine, denouncing it as an attack on ‘what is left of press freedom in the Maldives’, and called on authorities to dismiss the case.

“The only conclusion is that President Abdulla Yameen Abdulla Gayoom is afraid the electorate won't choose him if it has a chance to hear critical coverage and opposing views", Steven Butler, CPJ Asia Program Coordinator said.