Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) probes controversially alleged defamation of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom through contents aired on Channel 13.
Senior members of the channel were produced in front of the MBC for broadcasting mocking contents in the form of cartoons - showing the former president in a derogatory manner. The content was aired on Channel 13's "Nanaa Huvafen" program in July 9.
MBC has confirmed to announce details of the case once probing completes.
Under the Anti-Defamation Act's Article 36 "contents produced for broadcasting must obey the guidelines cited under this Act" - under the act, it condemns the misuse of anyone's name, face or associate an individual in defaming, insulting manner. MBC adds that it sees no regulation that dictates such a case cannot be probed when a live-feed cancel order was requested at Public Service Media (PSM) - a sister outlet to Channel 13.
MBC challenged the media channel stating that they should bear full responsibility over the content aired through the media outlet - which is bolstered further under the Article 27 of Anti-Defamation and Freedom Of Expression Act that cites "a media outlet must bear full responsibility on the content shared or aired."
Under the Act, character assassination and faux news that berates or humiliates an individual must be penalized with a fine between MVR 50,000 to 2 million - based on the gravitas of the case.
