The state media, PSM, stated today that in its efforts to raise public awareness regarding the referendum on holding two major elections on the same day, held alongside the upcoming Local Council elections, it is currently prioritizing providing information through experienced individuals who served as members of the Special Parliament that amended the Constitution.
The state media said this in its response to a letter sent by the opposition MDP requesting a meeting with Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb (Shakibbe), alleging that the media is providing information without fairness ahead of the Local Council elections scheduled for the 4th of next month.
In the letter, PSM stated that because the programs it is bringing to the public ahead of the Local Council elections include technical and social information, there are no arrangements to provide opportunities to political parties at this time.
"This company is prioritizing providing information through experienced individuals who have served as members of the former People's Special Parliament. Furthermore, so far, no individual representing a political party has been given an opportunity in such a program in that capacity," the state media's response read.
Although MDP wanted to meet PSM MD Shakeeb today regarding the issue of equal opportunities not being available to the opposition, the company stated that he is currently abroad.
As Shakeeb is returning to the Maldives late this month, PSM's letter also requested that the meeting desired by MDP be requested after that time. PSM MD Shakeeb is currently in Mecca for the Umrah pilgrimage.
Even though Shakeeb was not present, senior MDP officials have been in the company’s reception area since 1:00 PM today, demanding to meet with another senior official of PSM.
In connection with this, PSM said in a social media post that despite MDP being informed that Shakeeb is not in the Maldives, they have gone to the company’s office and begun "creating fear in the hearts of the employees of the independent state media."
Furthermore, the company called on MDP to immediately stop actions that obstruct the operations of PSM.
Standing in the PSM reception area, MDP’s acting Chairperson Abdul Ghafoor Moosa stated that PSM is being operated in violation of its law.
According to Ghafoor, the TV station is acting like a PNC campaign hub. Expressing his concern, Ghafoor stated that they cannot do whatever they want without being held accountable.
"Since this government came to power, it has been operating in clear violation of the PSM law. To put it another way, it is operating as a PNC campaign hub," Ghafoor said, expressing his concern.
However, in the response given to MDP, PSM stated that the company always works in accordance with the law. PSM said it adheres to the standards of providing truthful information to the public independently and without bias.
"Furthermore, the Public Service Media remained in this manner even when your party governed this Maldives. Therefore, we appeal to you not to spread false information in a way that creates hatred among the public towards this company in connection with the independence of this institution," read the letter sent by PSM to MDP, signed by Deputy Managing Director Abdulla Yameen.
