State media has decided to give fifteen minutes of free air time for all candidates competing in the Presidential Elections which is to be held on the 4th of October, according to a news item carried by television Maldives (TVM) and Voice of Maldives (VOM).
State media outlets reported yesterday that a meeting was held yesterday night with the presidential candidates to discuss the matter. It said that all candidates have come to an agreement regarding the matter.
According to reports, opportunity in this program, which is to begin on 14th of this month, will only be given to those candidates who have announced their manifesto. It is also known that candidates would be assessed on the eligibility of the candidates before opportunity to take part in the program is given.
The decision to give free air time is to to all candidates comes at a time when Dr. Hassan Saeed has complained of lack of access to state media. He has said he will sue the government for not giving him equal opportunity as given to other presidential candidates to take part in TVM program “Siyaasee fendaa”. He has said that it is against the constitution that he was not given the opportunity, and deprives him of a fundamental right.
Regarding the matter, Information and Legal reform minister Mohamed Nasheed has said that he does not believe opportunity has to be given to Dr. Hassan Saeed on “Siyaasee fendaa”, under the equal media coverage agreement signed with political parties. However the minister has said that Dr. Hassan would be given free air time once the Presidential Election is announced.
In an interview given to Miadhu Daily, spokesperson from Dr. Hassan Saeed, former foreign minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed said they are happy that Dr. Hassan is to be given the same opportunity as other candidates from state media, whatever the name of the program. He said that they are getting ten programs of 15 minutes before the elections and also opportunity is now open for candidates to even purchase air time.
Government media commenced to air news and information about political parties on an equal basis under an agreement reached with the political parties, the two government medias, TVM and VOM and the Information Ministry.
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