What I can't post on the other blog

Regarding Diplomatic Credentials: I think my position on this issue has been misrepresented, so this post is just to set the record straight and be clear. Background: As new diplomats come and go in the Maldives, they routinely meet the president to present their credentials. Earlier this year, this ritual was upgraded to an elaborate outdoor ceremony with a uniformed honor guard and a brass band. It's interesting video that absolutely should be shown on television. Especially when TVM remembers to turn up the natural sound so we can hear the band! The problem: The official video of the ceremony, shot by the VIP crew and not news crews, usually includes a press release which includes lavish praising of President Gayoom. Here's an example that was actually read by an anchor on the English news: "The diplomats congratulated the president's achievements in implementing the democratic reform agenda and wished him further success. They also applauded the important role that President Gayoom has played in promoting awareness on environmental issues in the global arena." The Dhivehi version was MUCH longer. The problem is that we don't know exactly what the diplomats (from Indonesia, the Ukraine and Libya) said because they were never given an opportunity to speak with reporters. The president's press office is simply putting words in their mouths. The routine pleasanteries associated with a diplomatic ceremony of this type are elevated to the level of official recognition, and seem somewhat out of touch with reality. Only yesterday the British state minister was calling on Maldives to hurry up with the pace of reform, and an NGO issued a report saying most people don't believe the election will be fair. But in the world of the VIP crew, the press release implies that three separate countries are endorsing Gayoom's presidency and its "achievements." Newscasters are compelled to read this stuff, which would never make air in a more mature democracy with a more vigorous press. The video further contributes to the impression of an imperial presidency. My strong recommendation is that TVM avoid airing this type of story, especially during the election season. Reading this self-congratulatory stuff from the president's office undermines the very real effort TVM is making to be free and fair. TVM has chosen not to follow my recommendation and outside observers can draw their own conclusions.
Update: This post was removed from the other blog because it prompted a nasty round of text messages from our boss, the minister of information. I was bluntly instructed not to make any further posts criticizing the president's press office. Now that the election is drawing near, emotions are running high. However, the real reason not to run this story is the fact that the coverage agreement requires that whenever we show the president as head of state, we have to give all the opposing parties a chance to respond. The credentials story was a mere formality that wasn't worth chasing after eight parties to get a soundbite, even if we had the crews to do so. Better not to run it at all, rather than give the parties and opportunity to say that TVM is violating the equal coverage agreement. I didn't want to blog that because it would be a red flag for criticism when TVM is still learning the ropes. So I sent it privately in an email to Nasheed and everything is fine now, as he understands I have no motive except making the election coverage free and fair.