Civil Court orders President's Office to cease discrimination against Raajje TV

Civil Court has issued an order upon the President's Office to not discriminate against local TV station Raajje TV, in their invitations to official events, press events and news conferences.

Civil Court stated that the statements by the State in court have proved that the President’s Office holds a bias and discriminates against Raajje TV.

The court ruling stated that Articles 27, 28 and 29 of the Constitution grants the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of media, freedom to acquire and impart knowledge on all parties, and that the Constitution also delegates the responsibility to promote these rights on the State.

Referring to the allegations by the State that Raajje TV reporters had recorded videos inside the President’s Office without due permission from the security personnel, Civil Court stated that the President’s Office had the full right to report such incidents to the Maldives Broadcasting Commission.

The ruling further stated that although the State had argued that the Constitution does not mandate the President’s Office to invite all media’s to its press events, Article 17 of the constitution states that there shall be no discrimination on part of the right to freedom of expression, freedom of the media, freedom to acquire and impart knowledge.

Raajje TV had also filed a case against the Police earlier, following the Police’s declaration that they refuse to cooperate with the station, where the Civil Court had similarly ruled in favour of Raajje Tv.