Cable TV provider fined half a million for airing Al Jazeera corruption exposé

According to state media, the ‘Stealing Paradise’ documentary, which exposed systemic corruption, abuse of power and criminal activity at the highest level of government, was deemed to pose a threat to national security.

The Maldives Broadcasting Commission also ordered Medianet to issue a statement of apology, the Public Service Media reported. The fine was reportedly imposed on Tuesday but the commission has yet to make a formal announcement.

Medianet had decided not to block the documentary’s original broadcast on September 7 despite a warning by the commission of possible action under the widely condemned anti-defamation law, which criminalised speech or content deemed to be defamatory, anti-Islamic, in breach of social norms, or a threat to national security.