MDP seeks meeting with PSM chief over 'biased' referendum coverage

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has requested a meeting with the Managing Director of Public Service Media (PSM), Mohamed Shakeeb, over concerns about coverage of next month’s referendum.

The referendum, scheduled for the 4th of next month alongside the local council elections, will ask voters whether presidential and parliamentary elections should be held on the same day and whether the current parliamentary term should be shortened.

The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has called on voters to support the proposal, while the MDP has urged voters to reject it.

PSM has been broadcasting a programme titled Heylun that discusses the referendum. Three episodes of the programme have been aired so far, with guests supporting the government’s position.

The MDP said it has raised concerns about the programme and the coverage of the referendum by the state broadcaster.

A delegation from the MDP visited the PSM office on Monday to seek a meeting with Shakeeb and raise concerns about what the party described as a lack of equal opportunity for different views.

Former Member of Parliament Ali Niyaz said the party had sent an official letter to Shakeeb on Sunday.

“When we went to clarify the matter today, the PSM reception informed us that Shakeeb was not in the city,” Niyaz said.

He said the party had requested a meeting with another official if Shakeeb was unavailable.

“We are asking for the views of both sides to be presented by PSM. This is a national issue and the public should be informed,” Niyaz said.

Niyaz said he had also raised concerns about PSM’s conduct with the Elections Commission last week, but no resolution had been reached.

Members of the MDP delegation waited at the PSM office but did not meet with Shakeeb or other senior officials. Some members of the delegation also called for Shakeeb’s resignation while at the reception area.

PSM has not issued a response regarding the matter.