Broadcasting Commission has failed, claims Lobby Group

The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has failed in its duty to ensure and protect the rights of broadcasters, says the Lobby Group established recently to call attention to challenges faced by local broadcasters.

In a statement issued today, the group said that it met with the commission on 6 July 2014 to discuss and find solutions to problems faced by local broadcasters.

While several problems faced by broadcasters were shared with the members of the commission during this meeting, the commission has not made much effort over the past 18 days to address those issues, claimed the Lobby Group.

The statement further states that the commission’s hesitance to go to court following broadcasters’ complaints regarding the World Cup 2014, resulted in loss of public confidence in the institution.

Moreover, the commission’s actions after Media Net took the matter to court as well as its failure to defend its own order, are all indications that the commission has failed in its duties, the Lobby Group said in the statement.