The issue of licensing RAAJJE TV brought to ACC

A private individual, who has not been identified, has filed a case at the Anti-Corruption of the Maldives, saying that the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) had licensed RAAJJE TV to broadcast nationwide in a way that raised questions and would lead to corruption.

RAAJJE TV had a license to broadcast only in Malé, the capital of the country, but broadcasted its programs throughout the country illegally. The MBC, meanwhile, issued repeated warnings against RAAJJE TV that they were acting in contravention to the law. The last of those warnings was given on the 19th of this month, in which MBC said that it would take appropriate legal actions against RAAJJE TV.

However, within 24 hours of the warning, on the following day, MBC suddenly announced that RAAJJE TV was now licensed to broadcast nationwide. The action was taken without a bid, while there is a requirement of statutory law that license to broadcast nationwide would only be given after a bid, and evaluation of all bidders.

A letter sent to Hassan Latheef, President of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives stated that RAAJJE TV was given license to broadcast nationwide by MBC in a procedurally questionable manner. “I therefore request the ACC to look into this matter and take appropriate legal actions”, read the letter.

Sun has received a photocopy of the letter, and when asked for confirmation, an official from the ACC said that such confirmation would only be given when office opens on Monday.

Badurunnaseer, President of the MBC, said today that the Commission itself was looking into the matter, and that he could not, at the moment, say anything about the complaint filed with the ACC.

MBC had previously said that license to broadcast nationwide was given to Media Ring, the operator of RAAJJE TV was given when the party requested so.

Other television and radio operators, namely VTV, DhiTV, and SunFM had requested MBC for similar licenses, but all these operators were previously asked to wait.

RAAJJE TV, a television channel owned by some of the senior leaders of former President Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party, became well-known after Nasheed was forced to resign from presidency on the 7th of this month. Before that, Nasheed’s government and party illegally controlled the state television. However, following Nasheed’s resignation, RAAJJE TV has become the media mouthpiece of MDP.