RaajjeTV has filed case with Maldives Media Council (MMC) over the abuse of powers granted to Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) to subvert rights of freedom of speech and media, guaranteed under the Constitution.

The case was filed for investigation by RaajjeTV Chief Operating Officer Hussain Fiyaz Moosa in a letter sent to MMC President Abdul Mueedh Hassan. The letter highlighted that MBC was not impartial and had clear bias in investigating cases.

The case was filed to MMC, as Clause 2 of MMC laws states that the Council is responsible in ensuring freedom of media and take action in any case that impacts media freedom. The letter had asked the Council to review the case, especially given that MBC actions against RaajjeTV severely impacted media freedom. The letter requested the Council to hold an independent open and transparent inquiry into it.

RaajjeTV had also requested MBC to reveal the details of the verdicts issued by MBC. In a letter sent to MBC President Mohamed Shahyb, on the civil grounds behind the verdicts issued on RaajjeTV.

The station’s letter had also requested the Commission to reveal who had filed the case with the Commission, as well as the attendance and votes of the Commission members in the sessions held where they had voted to penalize the station.