PPM asks RaajjeTV to lower its pre-election airtime prices

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s parliamentary group leader, Ahmed Nihan has asked independent broadcaster RaajjeTV to 'lower its airtime prices' so that the party can show campaign related activities on the channel.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the Villimalé constituency MP complained that RaajjeTV's pre-election airtime is 'over pricey'.

While RaajjeTV continues to cover such press conferences for free, Nihan thanked the station for this but noted that the party needs its support in covering campaign activities.

"We require your support during this phase of the campaign. We are still being given high prices to air campaign activities, MVR 3.2 million per hour, we request to lower these prices," he said.

While the ruling party continues to complain over RaajjeTV's pre-election airtime, the station publicized its airtime regulations on August 20 with prices ranging from MVR 500,000 to five million.

PPM's officials including its deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla, have called to shutdown RaajjeTV on multiple occasions. While party activists have also called to burn down the station, its officials have yet to condemn such acts.

Furthermore, RaajjeTV's work to bring the latest and unbiased news have been met with penalties, under the controversial Anti-Defamation Act. The station has been fined four times since its implementation in 2016, which is a total of MVR 3.7 million.