Adhadhu News Defends Cartoon, Calls Commission Action Politically Motivated

Chief Editor of Adhadhu News, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, has accused the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Media Commission) of taking politically motivated action against the outlet, saying the publication does not believe it violated any tenets of Islam as stated in the commission’s notice. He said the move appears aimed at controlling not only Adhadhu’s content but Maldivian media more broadly.

On Thursday, 22 January, the Media Commission issued a notice to Adhadhu News instructing the outlet to remove a post published on its Meta and X platforms, citing alleged violations of Islamic tenets. The notice referred to a political cartoon published under the segment Siyaasee Cartoon Volume 22, which depicted a caricature of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu taking money from another person while that individual was bowed in a prayer position.

The commission cited Article 10(a) and Article 27 of the Constitution, Articles 39(a) and 40(a) of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, and Articles 2(a) and 4(a) of the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, Journalists and Media Personnel.

In its letter, the Media Commission ordered Adhadhu to respond within five days, excluding public holidays, to temporarily halt the Siyaasee Cartoon segment, and to remove the post until the matter is resolved. The commission also requested written confirmation of the post’s removal, along with a screenshot of the segment.

The same day, Fiyaz published a letter on behalf of Adhadhu stating that the outlet does not believe it violated any tenets of Islam and requesting further clarification from the commission. The contested post remains available on both platforms.

In a comment to MV+, Fiyaz said the outlet is consulting legal and religious experts and will make a decision soon.

“Scholars and former judges have been saying that the commission’s decision was wrong. It was a political decision, made under pressure. There is no proper policy to investigate the case. The MJA [Maldives Journalists Association] has also said that no action will be taken,” he said.

“It’s not just about keeping the content of the newspaper. This is a move by the Control Commission [Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission] to suppress Maldivian journalism, their pen and tongues. Treating it in a light manner will harm everyone. We will do everything necessary to defend press freedom. I won’t give up,” he added.

Today, the Media Council issued a notice instructing the public to not circulate Siyaasee Cartoon Volume 22, on Adhadhu, as the news outlet has been informed to remove it in connection to a case they are investigating. 

Siyaasee Cartoon

Siyaasee Cartoon is a segment published on Adhadhu News’ social media platforms, featuring illustrations that comment on the Maldives’ political environment. The segment was launched in 2024.

A most recent post published yesterday, shows a caricature of President Muizzu nude, with placards reading “#control commission”, “censored” and “ethics” covering his body. The post appears to respond to the MMBC’s instruction to remove the earlier cartoon.

In the disputed Volume 22 post, Adhadhu acknowledged the image cited by the commission and stated that theft has become so common in the Maldives that even mosque-goers are aware of it. The outlet said the intention of the cartoon was to highlight the prevalence of theft in the country.

Referring to the provisions cited by the commission, Adhadhu said the articles relate specifically to violating Islamic tenets and argued that the cartoon did not do so.

“The cartoon was not intended to insult Islam or any tenets of the religion. I do not believe there is anything in the cartoon from which that meaning can be drawn,” the letter said.

The outlet requested clarification on how the image violated Islamic principles, stating it would remove the post once the alleged breach of legal provisions was clearly explained.

Other Siyaasee Cartoon posts have addressed issues such as the state budget, foreign relations, sports and other public matters.