DhiFM disciplined over protest coverage

Police accused DhiFM of airing live interviews with people calling for others to join the protest and overthrow the government through violence. DhiFM claimed plain clothed officers entered the station’s premises and demanded the broadcast be terminated, raising the ire of advocates for media freedom.

The content review committee at the Department of Information found that DhiFM’s coverage breached aspects of the code including failing to distinguish between fact and opinion, produce unbiased and balance coverage of controversial/political events, and promoting criminal activities as “something good or acceptable’.

Ameen Faisal, news editor at DhiFM, confirmed the committee had requested a copy of the coverage, and following receipt of a letter informing the station of the findings the board of directors had decided not to comment on the issue.