News Desk
MALE’, Maldives — A prestigious media award ceremony in the Maldives has become the center of a corruption investigation after a controversial documentary about President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu secured top honors, prompting questions about the integrity of the selection process.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an investigation into the Maldives Media Council (MMC) on Monday following allegations that the council violated its own rules and objectives in awarding the investigative journalism prize in the audio/video category to “Skeelaan,” a controversial documentary by Adhadhu Online.
The documentary, which aired during last year’s presidential campaign, featured contentious allegations from President’s stepmother about familial disputes. While Dr. Muizzu’s office issued rebuttals at the time, the matter had largely subsided until the award ceremony reignited the controversy.
Investigators were at the MMC office collecting documents and information related to the selection process.
In a dramatic turn of events, the judges who initially approved the award have publicly distanced themselves from the decision. They issued a seven-point statement highlighting that the MMC had previously censured the documentary for violating the Maldives Media Code of Conduct, raising questions about why it was even considered for the award.
The controversy deepened when it emerged that the MMC had issued a press release on September 28 last year, specifically warning against the documentary’s broadcast methods. Despite this earlier stance, the piece was not only accepted for consideration but went on to win.
The fallout has already affected key figures in MMC. Ahmed Mustafa, the MMC President who also works as a technical staff member at the state broadcaster Public Service Media (PSM), was temporarily dismissed from his position. He was later reinstated after appealing the decision.
The awards ceremony itself, which was broadcast live on state media and attended by Vice President Hussain Abdul Latheef along with other government officials, has come under scrutiny for airing a teaser of the controversial documentary during the broadcast.
The makers of the documentary have denied any wrongdoing, but the ACC’s involvement suggests broader concerns about the intersection of media awards and political content in the Maldives, particularly during election periods.
This incident has raised questions about the independence of media institutions in the Maldives and the potential influence of political considerations on journalism awards. The ACC’s investigation continues.
