Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) has sought from the government to pardon the fines reaching over MVR two million, imposed against re-broadcasters.

A statement publicized by the commission reads that while a total of 29 re-broadcasters were fined within the past two years, some of them had already settled the fine payments. 15 companies have not settled the fine thus far.

The total amount of fines imposed reaches MVR 2،504،000, Broadcom further revealed.

Broadcom went on to state that they reached the decision as they believe said companies are small-business owners and thus may not be able to pay up the amount due to financial difficulties.

Further, RaajjeMV understands that some of said companies had even sought pardon for the fines from the President’s Office through letters.

The statement further reads that some government ministers had also sought a way for the commission to pardon said fines on small-sized businesses.

The decision was reached in order to give the companies an opportunity and to encourage them through the legally mandated ways.

Broadcom had during the previous administration, fined broadcasters with hefty amounts under the Anti-Defamation Act. As such, privately-run broadcaster Raajje Television was fined MVR 3.7 million over different cases deemed to be “anti-defamatory”. While the station has filed the case at court, with the inauguration of new government, the Anti-Defamation Law had been eradicated.