Govt to allocate Hulhumale STO hotel for media

President Mohamed Muizzu has said that a portion of the city hotel building in Hulhumale that was constructed halfway by the State Trading Organisation (STO) will be dedicated to the establishment of the media village as promised by the government.

Speaking at the official Independence Day celebration held at the Social Centre in the capital city on Friday evening,, President Muizzu said that the current government is run with transparency. He said this government works close to the media, giving them its full support.

The President assured the media on Friday that he would fulfil his promises.

In fulfilment of those promises, the President announced at the event:

"The building has now been taken over by the government. Some floors will be reserved for setting up a media village. Each agency will be given space to run their offices at a very low cost. Quality production studios will be set up," he said.

The President said the Media Village will provide “golden opportunities” the media has never received before, and that he is determined to get it done within a year's time.

In addition, a certain percentage of the budget will be allocated to the media from next year, he said. The policy for it will be published in the Gazette and it will be done in a transparent manner, he said.

"This government will give unprecedented attention to the media. From next year, a certain percentage will be given to the media in every budget passed, just as the budget gives to political parties," he said.

"Then the media gets funded as well”.

After these affirmations the President urged the media to work responsibly.

President Muizzu said on Friday that no RTI submitted to the President’s Office or any ministry under the Right to Information Act will go answered. He said he will run an accountable government.

At the same time, the President criticised some people for submitting RTI for political activism.

"The President's office including all institutions will not deny any information related to any RTI. We are neither hesitant nor afraid to answer questions. But those who submit questions are submitting questions for the purpose of political activism. However, we will respond. We will continue to do so," he said.

"However, there are two sides to this. Justice and fairness exists. So justice and fairness will be established in a sustainable manner”.

While the president claimed that his office and government ministries have responded to all RTI queries, the President's Office did not respond adequately when asked to clarify the details of political employees. Instead the Office had responded with:

Stating that the government has strengthened the system of providing information to the media, he said a website will be launched where information about everything the government is doing can be found in one place.He also said that he has been disclosing the expenses of his official visits on his own initiative. He also said that the Ahaa Forum will continue.

"We are disclosing information transparently. Isn't that what the people want? We want to be a very transparent government. As a government that supports the media closely, we are keeping at it," he said.