Disinformation and Media Bias Rampant in Maldives Presidential Election

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) released a preliminary statement highlighting media bias and disinformation in the Maldives presidential election. Public Service Media (PSM) allocated 64% of news coverage to the incumbent president and 36% to opposition candidate Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Private TV channels showed partisan bias: Rajjee TV gave 84% coverage to the President, while Channel 13 covered Muizzu's campaign positively and cast President Solih negatively. Social media platforms Meta and X/Twitter were used for divisive content. Online outlet Dhiyares allegedly orchestrated a disinformation campaign against the incumbent. Analysis of 3,731 election-related posts revealed campaign spending discrepancies: PPM/PNC spent over $500 on Meta ads, while MDP spent less than $150. The EU EOM continues to observe the remaining electoral stages.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) released a preliminary statement highlighting media bias and disinformation in the Maldives presidential election. Public Service Media (PSM) allocated 64% of news coverage to the incumbent president and 36% to opposition candidate Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Private TV channels showed partisan bias: Rajjee TV gave 84% coverage to the President, while Channel 13 covered Muizzu's campaign positively and cast President Solih negatively. Social media platforms Meta and X/Twitter were used for divisive content. Online outlet Dhiyares allegedly orchestrated a disinformation campaign against the incumbent. Analysis of 3,731 election-related posts revealed campaign spending discrepancies: PPM/PNC spent over $500 on Meta ads, while MDP spent less than $150. The EU EOM continues to observe the remaining electoral stages.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) released a preliminary statement highlighting media bias and disinformation in the Maldives presidential election. Public Service Media (PSM) allocated 64% of news coverage to the incumbent president and 36% to opposition candidate Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Private TV channels showed partisan bias: Rajjee TV gave 84% coverage to the President, while Channel 13 covered Muizzu's campaign positively and cast President Solih negatively. Social media platforms Meta and X/Twitter were used for divisive content. Online outlet Dhiyares allegedly orchestrated a disinformation campaign against the incumbent. Analysis of 3,731 election-related posts revealed campaign spending discrepancies: PPM/PNC spent over $500 on Meta ads, while MDP spent less than $150. The EU EOM continues to observe the remaining electoral stages.

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