HRCM Recommends Fair Financial Assistance for Media
Photo: The President’s Office
With the release of the monitoring report for the 2023 elections, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has proposed adjustments to the legal framework to facilitate fair financial assistance for the media.
The report includes suggestions aimed at improving the efficiency of electoral processes. The Commission’s report recognises the challenges faced by journalists in executing their duties, citing obstacles created by sponsorship and public relations activities initiated by government entities and private companies, ultimately hindering the state’s full accountability.
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ނޫސް ބަޔާން:
2023 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބުގެ މޮނިޓަރިން ރިޕޯޓު މުއައްސަސާތަކާ ޙިއްސާކޮށް ޢާންމުކުރުމާ ގުޅޭhttps://t.co/c4mcBlrhUi pic.twitter.com/cIwiTjZ3E1— HRC of the Maldives (@hrcmv) November 23, 2023
To tackle these challenges, the HRCM advocates for the integration of provisions for financial assistance to the media within a fair and transparent legal mechanism. The objective is to curb unwarranted interference in the media during election campaigns.
The Commission also highlights the importance of ensuring equal access to state media programs, emphasising the need to prevent discrimination from any political party, be it the ruling party or others.
Drawing attention to issues observed during the last presidential election, the HRCM notes instances of defamatory false allegations, hate speeches, caste-based targeting, and unreliable propaganda. The report underscores the role of certain politicians and media outlets in disseminating information that undermines public confidence in institutions.
In response to these concerns, the HRCM recommends that the Maldives Media Council (MMC) establish guidelines for media conduct. Additionally, it proposes collaboration between the Election Commission and state-controlled institutions to disseminate information related to voter education activities, election-specific details, and the manifestos and policies of candidates in various centers.
