Government warns of suspension of broadcasting media frequency

Minister of Transport and Communication Adil Saleem has warned today that the failure of the Broadcasting Commission to regulate the spread of false information could be met by the suspension of frequencies or permissions issued to broadcasting media.

Transport Minister issued this warning at a meeting held with the Broadcasting Commission’s President Badhru Naseer and and Vice President Mohamed Shaheeb, at the Transport Ministry and with the presence of the media.

During the meeting which lasted for about thirty minutes, Adil said that during the past two nights, several TV stations have broadcasted recorded videos but claimed they were live footage, and that the information relayed on TV and radio should be monitored by the members of the Broadcasting Commission even if it means they have to work on shifts.

He further said that the failure to regulate the media due to shortages in budget or employees, would prompt the government to suspend the frequencies or permissions issued to media operators.

“The media does not pay attention to this responsibility, and it is your obligation to monitor this. If you are incompetent in this aspect, the only option left for me, for me to carry out my responsibilities, is to suspend the permissions of frequencies issued by Communication Authority (CAM) for broadcasting and telecasting.

I intend to order CAM to suspend this permission until we find a way to deal with this in a more responsible manner,” Adil said. “To avoid the situation coming to that, and because I support your efforts to protect media, I strongly request you to pay more attention to these issues.”

In response to this, President of the Commission Badhru Naseer said that the Commission carries out its legal responsibilities to the best of its capacity. He expressed concern over the fact that a station may suddenly be closed down, when the basis of the Ministry’s decision that the Broadcasting Commission has failed to fulfill its responsibilities remains unclear.

“The Constitution explicitly states the way things should be done. Your concluding remark is very disheartening. We do not know how you define our failure to carry out our responsibilities, or at which point we failed. So your intention to suddenly shut down a channel – I do not understand this. I am very dismayed that you said this,” Badhru said.

Vice President Shaheeb said that no complaints have been received so far regarding the broadcast of recorded videos claimed to be live footage, and that according to the Constitution, it is the Commission which has the authority to manage frequencies. Looking into such matters and taking the necessary steps are responsibilities of the Commission and not CAM, according to Shaheeb.

“If we are informed of this issue, we will look into it. We believe we should be given the opportunity to do so. We should have the freedom to carry out our duties. The Constitution assigns the task of taking action against broadcasters to this Commission. I do not believe this authority can be taken from us by CAM as and when they please,” Shaheeb said.

The Minister responded to this by saying that the spread of false and altered information will not be allowed, and that it is his responsibility to take the necessary actions against the broadcasters which do so.

“I am in support of conveying truthful accounts of events that take place. I am completely with you on that. However when footage of massive crowds gathered at the protest are shown claiming that they are live pictures, long after the crowds have been dispersed – this is not acceptable. If this is repeated I will have to take steps against it,” Adil said.

In conclusion, Badhru said that the Commission is an independent institution and that they will work within the framework of the laws.

“We can’t just shut down a station in one day. There are laws to be followed. Even if it means we have to sacrifice ourselves,” Badhru said.

The regulations which govern broadcasting in the country indicate that the Broadcasting Commission has the authority to regulate and manage the frequencies, and other issues relating to broadcasting media.