Pro-government TV station Channel 13 has dismissed a number of employees citing financial trouble.

A Channel 13 employee has confirmed this to RaajjeMV.

A total of eight employees have been dismissed so far and RaajjeMV understands that more are yet to come.

While the TV station has over 40 staff members, most of the dismissed employees were from the newsroom.

The mass firing follows President Abdulla Yameen’s devastating defeat in the presidential election. Channel 13, which has always played a large role in promoting the outgoing president, receives its income in the form of sponsorships from government-affiliated companies.

While Channel 13’s CEO resigned earlier, the dismissals are being conducted under the recommendation of the board members, which include Ibrahim Khaleel and Mohamed Ikram, who are also board members of state media PSM, as well as economic minister Mohamed Saeed and the President’s campaign manager Adhlee.