Why This Idyllic Island Nation Is Cracking Down On Religion
(ANALYSIS) The Maldives, the South Asian island nation of 515,132 people, recently passed a new law to tighten the noose of the media. But this new law also indirectly strengthens the state’s restriction on religious freedom.
Under this law, media outlets will be punished if they publish any content that contradicts Islamic principles or that could be seen as offensive to Islamic sentiments.
A commission comprising appointees by parliament and representatives of registered media groups will be formed and have sweeping powers to fine and suspend news outlets. Any coverage that the commission deems contrary to religious norms, national security or public order could fall under scrutiny.
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According to the law, the commission is authorized to prevent the spread of content that contradicts Islamic principles, morally degrading stories, and narratives that encourage indecent acts.
The law empowers the commission to develop and enforce a code of ethics. The code of ethics is applied to content that includes “words, signs, activities or actions that are socially unacceptable.”
If material is considered a threat to “Islam, national security, public health or general public wellbeing,” the commission can issue warnings, order corrections or public apologies, and impose fines. Broadcasters can be ordered to suspend transmissions temporarily or be fined between $3,243) and $16,235. Print and online outlets can be fined between $324 and $6,494).
In addition, the commission could suspend media outlets at will, block newspaper websites and halt broadcasts while complaints are being investigated.
The code of ethics would prohibit the spread of “fake news,” content that violates an “individual’s honour and dignity” as well. The forthcoming code of ethics and commission established by the new law will also apply to content that promotes any religion other than Islam.
The Maldives Journalists Association warned that the law could place the media under government control, as parliament would have the authority to dismiss members of the commission. The main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party, condemned the law’s passage this past September as a “sad day for democracy” and urged people to protest.
Religious freedom only for Muslims
As a Muslim country, where no law can be made contrary to the tenets of Islam and citizenship is granted only to Muslims, this has significant implications for the rights of non-Muslim residents and their integration into society, limiting their ability to participate fully in civil and political life. Every citizen is required to respect and promote Islam.
At the same time, democratic values and practices promoted by residents must not be contrary to the tenets of Islam. There is no room for any other religion on the island. The country protects the religious freedom of Muslims, largely Sunni Muslims, but does not allow members of other faiths to practice their religion openly and marry a Maldivian. Non-muslims are barred from holding positions in state and private institutions such as the Human Rights Commission as well.
Anyone bringing in any non-Islamic religious items into the nation could be arrested. Practising a non-Islamic religion is punishable by imprisonment and hefty fines. Additionally, apostasy from Islam may be punishable by death and the loss of citizenship.
The new media law has exposed the religious biases practised by the “democratic” Maldives, which excuses itself from complying with the United Nations’ rules that guarantee freedom of religion and belief. And the country’s leaders reject all U.N. Human Rights Council recommendations to adopt freedom of religion.
Threats to Islam and national security
The new media law empowers the state to take punitive action against any journalist or media organisation by labelling charges of posing "a threat to national security.”
Journalists fear that the new law would be used as a weapon for political purposes if they write anything questioning the government’s action on people of other religions. They fear that their questioning the government or seeking accountability from the government on bias against other religions would be framed as a “threat” to Islam.
Furthermore, they fear that media reporting on inaction by the government to investigate any Salafi-jihadi groups that pose threats to opposition politicians, activists, and LGBTQ+ people could be targeted under the law, too.
Critics also emphasize that the use of vague wording around “Islamic principles” and related norms could be used to suppress reporting on religious matters or dissenting views on religion. But supporters of the law argue it upholds national values and social norms.
The current president, Mohamed Muizzu, has been raking up nationalistic sentiments ever since he ran for the election in 2023, and projecting zero tolerance to anything that may threaten the country’s national security and sovereignty. Critics say the new media law will only strengthen his nationalistic agenda further.
Sonia Sarkar is a journalist based in India. She writes on conflict, religion, politics, health and gender rights from Southeast Asia. Her work has appeared in a range of international publications, including the South China Morning Post, Nikkei Asia and Al Jazeera.