While the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation issued a fine against Rajje TV for defaming former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the Civil Court has ruled to validate the fine of MVR 1 million against Rajje TV.

The Maldives Broadcasting Corporation took the decision to fine Rajje TV for defaming President Yameen due to a broadcast on 26 October 2016 at a then Maldives United Opposition (MUO) event. The MUO event allegedly broadcasted content that defamed the then President.

The Broadcasting Corporation ended up slapping a MVR 1 million defamation fine against Rajje TV as the final decision regarding the fine was passed on 6 April 2017. The investigation into the actual events of the alleged acts of defamation was conducted by the Broadcasting Corporation itself.

Rajje TV then submitted a case in court, claiming that the fine was in violation of the Anti-Defamation Law and the Freedom of Speech Act. As such, Rajje TV had said that the fine imposed by the Corporation was also against the rules of fining in the case of  defamation under the Freedom of Speech Act.

The Civil Court ruling today stated that the fine imposed on Rajje TV by Broadcasting Corporation regarding the content broadcasted on 26 October 2016 is valid.  

The ruling also stated that it is not possible to declare that the fine was in violation of the Anti-Defamation Law and the Freedom of Speech Act or any underlying rules.

While Rajje TV was told to hand over fine imposed to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority within 30 days at that time, the television company had paid the amount in full. Rajje TV has been fined on charges of defamation on three different occasions during that time.