Barring of Lushan does not involve Information Ministry

8 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed has said, in his internet blog, that the barring of Lushan Saeed, reporter of Miadhu, from Majlis House has nothing to with his ministry. Mr.Nasheed made the statement while answering a question sent to his blog on the barring of Lushan Saeed from Majlis by Majlis Secretariat.
Nasheed says that permission to enter the premises of the Majlis House is stipulated by regulations enforced by the Majlis Secretariat. The Secretariat has outlined these regulations governing the entry of journalists to the Majlis chambers. If there is a wrongful enforcement of those regulations, then he may seek redress through parliamentary channels. Nasheed advises that Lushan should approach the Majlis Secretariat first, and then to his Member of Parliament.

Secretary General of the Majlis Ahmed Mohamed, on the subject wrote to Editor of Miadhu saying that what Lushan wrote was incorrect, and when officials of Miadhu were asked to correct and reprint the article, there was no response. He also stated that as Miadhu did not take any corrective action on the issue, Lushan’s permit to enter Majlis House has been cancelled.

In response to Secretary General’s letter, Miadhu wrote to him stating that while Haveeru, Minivan and Jazeera all printed more or less what Lushan wrote, no action was taken against them. Miadhu further wrote that the decision of the Secretariat was unfair and unjust.

The article which Majlis claims to be incorrect was written by Lushan concerning an incident that occured during the recess time of Majlis session on 2 September 2007. The point disputed by Majlis Secretariat was that Meemu Atoll Member Ahmed Shafeeg after being sent off from Majlis prior to the recess ,was prevented by Security Officers from entering Majlis Chambers. Secretariat maintains that Security Officers did not do any such thing and that Shafeeg was not manhandled.

With regard to this ruling from the Majlis Secretariat, Lushan says he will alter his article in order to be loyal to his country.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
Courtesy: Miadhu Daily