MPs call on Broadcom to take action against fake news

Some MPs have called on the Broadcasting Commission to rise against media spreading fake news regarding the current situation with the Covid-19 virus that is faced not just by the Maldives, but the whole world.

Due to such rumors and unfounded claims, panic and distraught is caused among the public despite clear government instructions and advice.

The calls by MPs began to ring out after a presenter of a program of Channel 13, a local TV channel, stated on air that the Maldives had two foreign and one local case tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

Speaking against this statement by the channel, MP for Meedhoo and chair of the parliament’s Committee for Independent Institutions, Rozaina Adam tweeted that it was against the rules and policies set for media to speak in a manner that creates rifts between the public and government institutions that result in the loss of trust in such a situation.

She advised that this was not the time for political games and the outcome of such action was not comprehendible.

In a moment of national crisis it is highly immoral for any media to use this opportunity to create hatred & mistrust among the public. This can lead to unfathomable circumstances. This is not the time to play politics! Let’s get past this crisis first. @broadcomMV step up please https://t.co/jXzwJyj5ac

— ???????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???? (@Roxeyna) March 19, 2020

The statements made on Channel 13, also drew concern from MP for vilimale’ and member of the Committee for Independent Institutions, Ahmed Usham.

MP Usham reminded that freedom of expression and freedom of media were not absolute rights and that there are limitations that should not be crossed when exercising these rights.

The MP personally tagged the host of the program in his tweet before calling on the host to stop “spreading hatred and lies”. The MP also expressed frustration with the Broadcasting Commission by stating that the country was not in need of such rumors.

Freedom of expression and freedom of media are not absolute rights. There are limitations and boundaries which one should not cross while exercising these rights. @ahmed_narysh pls just stop spreading hatred and lies. Our country does not need this. @broadcomMV enough is enough. pic.twitter.com/0wFbQmsXVu

— Ahmed Usham (@a_usham) March 19, 2020

MP Imthiyaaz Fahmy also spoke against the statements by saying that these statements made it seem that the hosts were waiting for a local to test positive for the virus.  He called on the commission to take action against such incidents that are aimed to disrupt the political stability of the country.

The Committee for Independent Institutions had met with the Broadcom yesterday regarding media activities as well.

The Channel 13 had stated that the statement was broadcast based on information received.

In a post, the channel stated that the information was from a coalition member of the government and called on the HPA to confirm the news if true. The channel also stated that it had tried to verify the information according to policies and apologized for any fear caused due to the information. The post also read that the channel would always maintain its work to bring correct information.

Broadcom has also advised media to cover true information in its content and to conduct responsible journalism. The commission also warned that it will take action against those that violated these standards.