Channel 13 under investigation for calling president a ‘thief’

Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) has opened an investigation against private broadcaster Channel 13, based on allegations it referred to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as a “thief” and broadcast content that do not meet community standards.

 Broadcom opened the investigation on Sunday.

According to a letter sent by Broadcom to the heads of Channel 13, the station is being investigated for content it aired on May 13 and May 22.

Broadcom said the station is believed to have aired content that included defamatory audio and video, and information that is biased and inaccurate.

Channel 13 was instructed to provide a response to the allegations by 02:00 pm on June 12. The commission also asked the station to request for additional time, if required, before the deadline.

Broadcom also instructed Channel 13 to stop making defamatory comments against government officials in its shows.