Govt. continues draconian media laws of former dictatorship, journalists allege

The Government is simply continuing ‘the draconian measures of the previous dictatorship” to suppress the media, fraternity of the Maldives journalists have alleged.

The comment by the Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) came in response to a decision of the Content Review Committee coming under the Department of Information, to reduce 5 points from the license of the private radio station Dhi FM, over its coverage of a DRP opposition protest on 28 January.

The Committee alleged the live coverage amounted to inciting people into violence.

Calling the Private Broadcasting regulation a piece of “draconian law” the MJA said the government is taking refuge in it, with no genuine intention of amending the law.

“The Government’s claims that it is obliged to act on the draconian Private Broadcasting regulation, without attempting to have it amended first, is questionable,” the Association said in a strongly worded statement.

Although the Government had about one-and-half-years to amend the regulations, it did not do so, the statement noted.

“Rather, it is now trying to act on the draconian measures that were all too common features of the previous dictatorship,” it alleged.

“This can be interpreted to mean that the Government is deliberately trying to influence press freedom and infringe on personal liberties.”

Under the current Private Broadcasting regulation, the Content Review Committee can deduct points in the event of violating what is calls “ethics.”

In the Maldives, Broadcast licenses are issued only for a period of a year and it comes with 100 points for every six months.

A total deduction of 50 points will lead to suspending a station.

The Association said “the absence of a law or regulation is no excuse for the Government to act against ethical standards and social etiquette.”

Previously, the Department of Information has summoned DhiTV and VTV over alleged violations of its code of ethics.

The Association also condemned the “obtaining of audio material from DhiFM for review (later taking Points off from DhiFM’s Broadcasting License as a dubious excuse to “discipline the media” for alleged “incitement to violence”).

It added that “the entry into DhiFM private radio station by Police, cannot be considered salient features of a Government that projects itself as running on democratic, transparent and ethical values.”

The media watchdog, Article 19 too has criticized lack of independent broadcasting laws in the country.

In a report in May 2009, it has called for the “adoption of a broadcasting law which would put broadcast regulation on a more secure and independent footing.”

“The granting of licences and other regulatory functions are undertaken directly by the
Minister of State for Information, which functions under the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, an approach which clearly lacks independence,” it said in a detailed report titled “Assessment of Media Development in the Maldives” based on UNESCO’s media development indicators.

- Asian Tribune -