The state media Public Service Media (PSM) has started broadcasting campaign rallies of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the name of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu meeting the public.
PSM aired 14 PNC campaign rallies since March 30 as the "President meeting the public." Other TV channels showed the rallies as PNC campaign activities.
The "President meeting the public" was stated in the PSM channel's ticker label in the bottom of the screen. The events were also streamed live on the channel's social media accounts with the same title.
According to the PSM law enacted on April 28, 2015, state media must serve the public impartially and remain free of all political influence.
"The Public Service Media must not commit an act contrary to equality and fairness in order to protect the political, financial, administrative or any other interest of a particular party," Article 6(a) of the law states under the heading, "Staying free of influence."
Despite the legal provisions, PSM has been conducting a social media campaign with PSM's social media handles sharing many separate video clips from the PNC's campaign for Parliament.
Last week, both the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats expressed concern over the misuse of state media for the ruling PNC's campaign.
