Media Commission changes cartoon order from public ban to media advisory amid criticism

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has revised its directive regarding the circulation of a political cartoon published by Adhadhu, following public criticism over its initial order targeting all citizens.

The commission originally instructed the public not to share or circulate the cartoon on social media while the matter was under investigation. The cartoon, published on Thursday, depicts a prayer congregation with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's alleged likeness illustrated as stealing banknotes from the imam’s pocket.

The commission said the cartoon contradicts Islamic principles and could incite conflict and deception. It ordered Adhadhu to remove the cartoon and initially warned that no one should redistribute it.

However, the directive was later deleted from social media and reissued with revised language, now stating: “The media is requested not to circulate the content.”

އިޢުލާނު pic.twitter.com/gQHWd2A7t7

— Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (@MmbcMv) January 25, 2026

The change followed criticism from the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), which issued a statement condemning the commission’s initial order. The association said:

“The directive issued today by the Media Commission, ordering all citizens to cease the circulation of cartoons published by ‘Adhadhu’ on social media, proves that the Commission has begun utilizing this law to stifle social media discourse.”

PRESS RELEASE

One of the gravest concerns of this association, and a primary reason for our categorical opposition to the Media Control Act, is the broad authority granted to the Media Commission to restrict public expression on social media and impose penalties.

When this…

— Maldives Journalists Association (@mjamaldives) January 25, 2026

In his written response to the commission, Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa said the cartoon portrays a man stealing money from an imam’s pocket during prayer and was intended to highlight the rise in thefts in Maldivian society. He stressed that the cartoon was not published as an insult to Islam or Islamic slogans, and that there is no reasonable basis to interpret it as such.