Authorities send out warning to media outlets

 

Maldives Police Service has, on Thursday, warned media outlets to refrain from broadcasting “false information.”

Speaking at a press conference regarding the security procedures for the opposition’s mass rally on Friday, Chief Superintendent of Police Hamdhoon Rasheed accused some media outlets of broadcasting false news in the past and said that they will not be given such an opportunity this time.

Furthermore, Hamdhoon asked all media personnel to work with them them during tomorrow’s rally.

He also revealed that they have held meetings with the Maldives Broadcasting Commission regarding the matter and asked for permission to take action against those who continue to spread false news.

The commission had also issued a general circular, asking all the broadcasters in the country to refrain from broadcasting any content that might incite violence during the protest.

The circular also advised “all institutions to respect the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press which are the bedrock of a democracy.”

The Commission had, earlier on Thursday, met with officials of Raajje Television and inquired about Friday’s live coverage and had asked to stay within the laws.

Police have also said that they have informed the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) that the participants of the rally will be restricted to the beach and that the protest must end at 12 am.

While MDP had revealed that police had agreed to allow them to protest for 73 hours and 13 minutes, Hamdhoon had refused to respond to reporter’s questions regarding the sudden change of decision.

Earlier on Thursday, Home Minister Umar Naseer had tweeted that he had asked the police to restrict the protesters to the Beach and end it by 12.” Referring to Article 33 and Article 41, the Minister said that “others have a right to sleep and move freely.”

source-raajje.mv