BroadCom warns attention to defamation law when covering live events, current affairs

Broadcasting Commission has warned all broadcasters to pay special attention to law on defamation and freedom of speech when covering live events and current affairs.

BroadCom issued the warning in a statement it issued on Friday night.

The Commission asked that all media stations comply with the new law on defamation and

freedom of speech, especially when it comes to covering live events and news and current affairs.

BroadCom also asked that media stations comply with the Commission’s Code of Practice.

The new law on defamation and freedom of speech was ratified by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom last Thursday.

The controversial law authorizes institutions which parent over media stations to cut off live feed and/or suspend its license for broadcasting any content which violates it.

The law criminalizes defamation, penalties for which include fines between MVR 50,000 to MVR 2 million – failure to pay which will land reporters up to six months in prison.

A court sentence under the law can only be appealed after completing fine payment.