Raajje TV requested to apologise for spreading false information

Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) has requested Raajje TV to apologise for broadcasting the video of the Police allegedly stealing petrol.

Raajje TV has also been warned that strict action will be taken if a similar offence is repeated.

A letter sent by MBC to Raajje TV last night indicates that the channel had breached the code of practice of the broadcasting regulation repeatedly in its coverage of Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) current activities.

As a result, MBC had been receiving complaints that Raajje TV was encouraging the current political unrest in the country.

MBC had also received complaints that Raajje TV spreads false information with the purpose of defaming the Police and MNDF institutions.

MBC noted that on 12 July 2012, Raajje TV was advised in writing to adhere to the code of practice and broadcasting regulation, and to gain full control of the live events and other content broadcasted by the station.

As no rectification was observed following this advice, MBC met with senior officials of Raajje TV on 17 July 2012, and repeatedly advised the station to broadcast within the rules and regulations.

Referring to the video of Police officers allegedly stealing petrol which was broadcasted on Sunday night in the news program on Raajje TV, MBC said that Raajje TV had not made any effort to verify the information before it was broadcasted.

Moreover, Raajje TV had not corrected their mistake after the Police informed them that the information was untrue, and explained the events as they had actually transpired.

According to article 44 of the broadcasting regulation, MBC has the authority to order a broadcaster who has breached the code of practice to issue a public statement to rectify their mistake.

“Hence, because a video alleging the Police of having stolen petrol was broadcasted on 22 July 2012 during your news hours, Raajje TV is ordered to broadcast a public statement of apology for three nights in your news program, starting on 24 July 2012. At the end of the three days, you are requested to inform the Commission in writing the exact times the statement was broadcasted.”