RajjeTV pays MVR 1 million fine

RajjeTV has paid the MVR 1 million fine imposed on the channel for defamation of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

RajjeTV announced after the fine payment that it planned to appeal the penalty by Broadcasting Commission.

CEO of RajjeTV, Fiyaz Moosa reported to “Sun” that the media station did not believe the it needed to pay the fine. He said the station paid the fine because it was the only way it would appeal the penalty.

Fiyaz said RajjeTV will be filing a lawsuit against Broadcasting Commission over the issue.

RTV just paid the highest fine ever imposed on a broadcaster which we feel was unjust&unfair.Appreciate all the help provided by wellwishers pic.twitter.com/alYIWhj5RC

— RaajjeTV (@Raajje_tv) May 4, 2017

RajjeTV has also paid a separate fine of MVR 200,000 imposed by Broadcasting Commission.

The issue has been filed with the court and the trial began this Thursday.

Broadcasting Commission had later confessed the MVR 200,000 fine was imposed on former

RajjeTV journalist Aala Ibrahim Rasheed for defamation without awarding her the constitutional right to defend herself.

Broadcasting Commission has been hit with a wave of criticism from media stations over the multiple penalties.

Editior of “Mihaaru”, Ismail Naseer, a national award winner in the field of journalism alleges the Broadcasting Commission has been “hijacked” by the government.

President of Broadcasting Commission, Mohamed Shaheeb said in a previous interview that the commission did not exist solely to penalize media stations, but that it also trained journalists.