RaajjeTV has responded back to the circular issued by Maldives Broadcasting Commission on Monday night, stating that it was a warning to all broadcasters and propelled by political motives.

The Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) had on Monday released a statement cautioning broadcasters to ensure their adherence to regulations.

The commission said that it has noted how local media organizations broadcast content of events that are ongoing inside the parliamentary premises and that this can easily lead to violation of its broadcast practices and laws on expression and defamation.

The statement released by RaajjeTV noted the statement by the Commission was ‘irresponsible’, designed to intimidate journalists. It also noted the statement was issued after official hours and therefore, there was room to believe it was politically motivated.

RaajjeTV further noted that while MBC was very eager to ‘remind’ broadcasters of their mandate, the Commission itself had forgone their mandate.

Instead of encouraging development in the broadcasting sector, RaajjeTV said MBC was bent on restricting broadcasters and free speech. Any statements and investigations helmed by the Commission was based on false premises.

The statement also noted that instead of protecting the rights of journalists and broadcasters, the Commission had worked to uphold the interests of the present administration. Given this, the station said there were marked differences in the treatment meted out to broadcasters. RaajjeTV maintained the actions of Commission members cast doubt on their integrity.

Questioning on the loss of rights of public by barring access to what their elected representatives were doing in the Parliament, RaajjeTV called on the Commission to cease their politically motivated actions and targeting on individual broadcasters.

The statement concluded by calling on the Commission to adhere to their mandate, especially given that public and broadcasters had lost faith in the Commission. It also called on the Commission to adhere to laws and cease selective treatment meted to different broadcasters.