Raajje TV forced to apologise for report on president’s links to Sri Lankan sorcerer
The broadcasting regulator instructed Raajje TV in a letter yesterday to issue a formal apology over a documentary aired on February 6 about a Sri Lankan man who allegedly performed sorcery or black magic to help President Abdulla Yameen win the 2013 election.
14 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has instructed opposition-aligned Raajje TV to issue a formal apology over a documentary aired on February 6 about a Sri Lankan man who allegedly performed sorcery or black magic to help President Abdulla Yameen win the 2013 election.
The allegations were “false and baseless” and the president was not afforded an opportunity to respond, the regulator said, ordering the privately-owned station to “unconditionally issue an apology statement” on air during primetime before April 18.
The MBC went on to issue a warning for purportedly contravening the broadcasting code of practice. A second private station, Sangu TV, was also issued a similar warning over a talk show.
Raajje TV issued the apology last night but noted that the documentary featured an unedited interview with the Aseyla Wikramasinghe, a Sri Lankan “priest” who owns a temple for the worship of the Hindu god Durga.
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