http://www.minivannews.com/news_detail.php?id=6968
DhiTV cautioned over editorial content 27 July 2009 Ahmed NaishThe CEO of private broadcaster DhiTV, Yousuf Naval, was questioned by the information department over its editorial content on Thursday. Speaking to Minivan News today, Naval said questions were raised by Mohamed Thoyyib, state minister at the ministry of tourism, arts and culture, about DhiTV's programming on the nights of 20 and 21 July. Last week, DhiTV broadcast live footage of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom being taken in for questioning by police. “They said our coverage on that night and our Habaru Therein (In the News) programme the following night with Shareef [opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party envoy, Ibrahim “Mavota” Shareef] was one-sided,” he said. Naval said the ministry called him in to remind him of the broadcasting contract with the government, which stipulates fair and balanced coverage. “I told him [Thoyyib] that DhiTV was not biased in anyone’s favour,” he said. “We are a very independent broadcaster and we always present both sides.” He added DhiTV tried to contact Home Minister Mohamed Shihab, police and Abdullah Haseen, spokesperson for the presidential commission, for its programmes, but were unsuccessful. “We do not do it intentionally,” he said. “Sometimes people can’t be reached and we are forced to go ahead with our programmes.” Naval said Haseen was usually “very cooperative” but could not make it to the show on Tuesday night. The programme on Tuesday included an SMS poll and was open to the public to express their views “without restrictions”, he said. Naval pointed out that the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party got the most airtime on the channel. “We don’t consider MDP or DRP in presenting news.” State Minister Thoyyib told Minivan News today the CEO of DhiTV was not summoned for questioning. “We just wanted to remind them of the contract and discuss reports of biased coverage,” he said. "Sometimes they have one or two hours where only one side is presented." He said the broadcast contract stipulates balanced coverage and prohibits promotion of political parties. But, he added, the existing contract formulated by the previous government was “very harsh” and a revised bill has been sent to parliament. "[DhiTV’s coverage] amounts to breach of contract," he said. "A content committee will evaluate and decide what measures to take." He added the information department offered to facilitate contacts with political parties and government officials. Thoyyib said Naval was “very cooperative” and accepted that there were things they could improve. "The purpose is to build a professional media, but we have to follow the existing regulations," he said. The Maldives Journalist Association issued a press statement yesterday calling the incident “deeply regrettable”. “Unlike state broadcasters Television Maldives and Voice of Maldives, which are expected to be neutral providing fair air time to all parties concerned, the private media cannot be expected to share the same views on issues,” it reads. The association called on all parties to respect private media’s independence and the right to formulate editorial policies. “We deeply regret that the government and individuals in recent times have acted to influence the editorial content of media organisations, which is against the spirit of the constitution and democracy,” it continues. “We condemn in the strongest terms the government’s and other individuals’ recent efforts to influence the editorial content of private media, thereby seeking to stifle private media’s independence.” ------------------------------------ -- INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTMedia mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to [email protected], OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE Share media news, discuss journalism issues and network with media professionals across South Asia on this mailing list. Just write to [email protected] TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTMedia by sending a blank mail to [email protected] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTCaste: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
