Broadcom rules RaajjeTV's MVR two million fine "wrongful"

Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) on Wednesday ruled that privately-run RaajjeTV was fined MVR two million under the now repealed Anti-Defamation and Freedom of Expression Act, unlawfully.

The station was fined MVR two million in August 2018, for allegedly airing content that defamed then-President Abdulla Yameen.

RaajjeTV has said that the news of the station being fined was reported by local news outlets, before it was informed of the penalty.

This was the fourth fine imposed on the station under the anti-defamation act, with the total fines amounting to MVR 3.7 million. While the MVR two million is the maximum fine under the draconian law, these fines could only be appealed at court after payment within 30 days.

RaajjeTV described the fines by the Yameen administration as 'calculated and well-coordinated attacks to obstruct its efforts to make the government accountable' ahead of the 2018 presidential polls.

Talking about the case, RaajjeTV attorney Muavviz Rasheed said that the case was submitted twice after Broadcom rejected the first attempt due to lack of procedure to probe such cases.

While Broadcom has ruled the case in RaajjeTV’s favour, its Managing Director Ahmed Saleem had back in November 2018 announced that the station will be donating the money to a charitable organization “if ever reimbursed”.

RaajjeTV’s management have since announced that the recovered funds will be given to the state children’s shelter, Kudakudhinge Hiya.

Several members of Yameen's government who later defected to the opposition, as well as then president of Broadcom have admitted that the purpose of this law was to target RaajjeTV.