India has confirmed that Television Maldives is not a threat to India’s national security

July 5, 2013

India has confirmed that Television Maldives is not a threat to India’s national security.

This information was revealed in a meeting with senior officials of India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the high level delegation of Maldives Broadcasting Commission who is currently visiting New Delhi upon invitation of Indian government.

In the discussion held President of the Commission Mohamed Shahyb raised the question to clear out the issue reported on some media stating Television Maldives was classified as a channel posing threat to India’s national security,

Joint Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Supria Sahu said that they assure the news reported in the media with regard to Television Maldives is not true. However in a study done by the Indian government in 2009, It was revealed that Television Maldives was one of the channels out of the 26 channels which downlinked and broadcasted in India without license. Other channels in these 26 channels included neighboring Pakistan’s channels.  She also stated that any news reported then stating that Television Maldives or any Maldivian channel is a threat to India’s national security was a lapse on the media in exercising responsible journalism.

The Joint Secretary also said that any channel downlinked and rebroadcasted in India can be rebroadcasted through a licensed Rebroadcaster with the permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In addition she also said that if any Maldivian channel applies for this permission they will proceed urgently.