Dr. Hassan Saeed, former Attorney General and an Independent Presidential Candidate, do not qualify for air time on Siyaasee Fenda, a political program aired by Television Maldives (TVM) and Voice of Maldives (VOM) as per the Equal Media Coverage Agreement signed with political parties, Legal Reform Minister Nasheed has said.
Responding to media reports regarding Dr. Haasan’s decision to sue the government on the basis that he is not offered same media exposure as other presidential candidates and to the letter of Dr. Hassan dated 31 August, Minister in private blog wrote there is no way Dr. Hassan can be provided with air time on the 15 minute provided to political parties under the Equal Media Coverage Agreement reached with Political Parties.
Minister Nasheed, in his blog, Talking Points, corrected the common belief that the 15 minute was given for Political Parties includes all presidential candidates. However, Nasheed wrote that the 15 minute air time on state media out lets, TVM and VOM, was for registered Political Parties, regardless of having a presidential candidate or not.
However Minister wrote that when the presidential elections are announced, air time to be provided to presidential candidates will be provided to Dr. Hassan.
Minister wrote that Equal Access to State Media Agreement signed on 25 June talks about two types of airtime in two different periods, Period A and Period B and that Dr. Hassan given coverage under Period A. Period A is about airtime between the signing of the agreement to the time formal campaign period is announced by the Election Commission and Period B is about airtime during campaign period proper.
Minister noted that Dr. Hassan was provided coverage under Period A of the Equal Media Coverage Agreement. He noted that Period A is limited to coverage of news of political parties, political rallies, political events, political interviews, and political activities held by political parties. He also said the same rule is applied to individual presidential candidates as well. Period B relates to pure campaign coverage, in addition to providing coverage as mentioned in Period A, there will be additional opportunities given during Period B to purchase airtime, broadcast advertisements, and announcements of presidential candidates. The rule is applicable to running mates of presidential candidates and parties with candidates, wrote the Minister. Minister further noted that Dr. Hassan will be able to gain coverage under Period B when formal campaign begins.
Dr Hassan Saeed’s main complain is that not being given time on Siyaasee Fendaa. Nasheed wrote that Dr. Hassan has said he is being denied the right of reply as regards attacks made on him or his policies by people representing political parties on those free broadcasts.
However, if Dr Hassan Saeed, would like to respond to issues raised against him, he could hold press briefings to the media or give interviews to the state media defending himself or his policies, or clarifying himself or his policies Minister Nasheed wrote
Minister also noted that anyone who goes through the Agreement would know there is no difference made between parties and individuals as regards coverage of their acts and activities during or in the run up to the presidential election.
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