Maldives, Male

Raajje TV

Country Maldives  State Male  Violation Type Media Regulations  Target Media House

During the Maldivian political crisis, Abdul Raheem Abdullah, deputy leader of the ruling Progressive Party, called on security forces to immediately shut down opposition aligned Raajje TV for giving airtime to former President Mohamed Nasheed and other opposition leaders. Raaje TV’s regular broadcasts were suspended after the Ministry of Defence and National Security warned earlier in the day that armed forces would act upon those organisations found to have aired content that could impact on national security without prior warning. This comes after a state of emergency was declared by the then-president on the 4th of Feb, Maldives Police also withdrew their provision of security at Raajje Tv offices Foreign correspondents Money Sharma and Atish Patel of Agence France-Presse were arrested following the aforementioned declaration of national emergency on Feb 4 and warning of action against those who upset national security without a prior notice from the Ministry of Defence and National Security. Maldives Broadcasting Comission fined Raajje TV for 2 million MVR (130,000 USD) for live broadcasting a politician’s speech made at an opposition demonstration that was deemed defamatory toward the Maldivian President and a threat to national security. “The MBC didn’t specify which speech during the broadcast had violated the law. Raajje TV has to pay the fine within 30 days or risk losing its broadcast license; and can only appeal the decision once the fine is paid”. Raajje Tv claims the move is an obstructionist attack on their broadcasting.