The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Control Commission), formed under a law to dismantle the free press, has ordered Adhadhu to remove a cartoon published today (January 22).
Adhadhu has a political cartoon segment to create awareness about major societal issues and political matters. Today's cartoon shows the prevalence of theft in Maldivian society.
The Control Commission informed Adhadhu about an investigation into the cartoon after official working hours ended at 5:30 pm.
"We inform Adhadhu to remove the post and temporarily suspend the service of the segment immediately until the matter is investigated," the commission said in a letter signed by its secretary general Hamdhee Ageel.
The Control Commission also told Adhadhu to respond within five days. It claimed the cartoon contravenes a basic tenet of Islam.
In its response, Adhadhu asked the commission to explain the legal reasons for the decision to declare that the cartoon violates a basic tenet of Islam. Adhadhu has also informed the commission that it will decide whether to temporarily remove the content when the commission responds.
This is the first time the Control Commission has ordered the removal of content published on Adhadhu under the new law to dismantle the free press.
