The President’s Office has sent a letter of complaint to Parliament regarding what the Mohamed Muizzu administration terms a failure on the part of the Maldives Media Council (MMC) to act against news outlets that spread false news in order to defame the President. The letter was sent to the Independent Institutions Committee.
Speaking to local media, Member of Parliament (MP) for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Nasym [Maldivian Democratic Party], confirmed that the letter from the President’s Office had complained regarding the lack of action on complaints submitted to the Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom).
“The reporting has been monitored in great detail by the President’s Office. The reporting was compiled by registered and unregistered newspapers. [According to the letter] It was said to be an attempt to defame the President,” he said.
The committee has since decided to question the Media Council and BroadCom during committee hearings next week.
The President’s Office filed 75 complaints with the Media Council this year alleging that several media outlets were spreading false news about the President, the Council said on 20 August.
The MMC received the highest number of complaints this year from state agencies, the Council confirmed to the Independent Institutions Committee on 31 July.
