Press in the sight: the HAT steps up pressure on media groups

On July 03rd 2010, Midi Madagasikara made public that Andry Rajoelina cancelled his trip to Tulear. The HAT denied. « Neither the High Authority of Transition’s Presidency nor its Communication department ever told to the press that president Andry Nirina Rajoelina that any project to be conducted Toliara and Soanierana  had been cancelled ». The HAT’s Communication department doesn’t restrict to the simple statement.  

« As having cancelled his trips to the Atsimo Andrefana region yesterday, the HAT leader, Andry Rajoelina, missed out on his first regional tour « , so read the sentence which caused the offense. The HAT Communication department is holding it as « a deliberate and undisputable lack of good faith from the so named article’s author. Andry Rajoelina didn’t miss anything, it is official. This alleged presidential mission stemming from the reporter’s imagination cannot be cancelled as he falsely attested it « . 

Indictment threats 

The HAT does play no « freindlies » when the transitional strong man’s do-no-wrong picture and his popularity are confronted. Its Communication department  is waving indictment threats when referring to the Law n°90-031 of December 21st, 1990 on Communication rules. Midi-Madagasikara’s reporter is, according to the accusation, guilty of « offense against the Republic’s first Institution…, without consideration about propagating false news « . The intimidation process is not only targeting this reporter. « His editor-in-chief can definitely not escape his share of responsibility in the publication of this article ». 

« The publication of false news and lies » is held by the HAT media groups’ watchdogs as « undisputable press offenses, in which their authors have no resort to press freedom related rights allowed », when they are going to be charged in consequence. « When » serves here as an ultimate warning.  

press crisis 

The gateways of the HAT and its Communication service are officially opened to whatever media group famed for having less complacency with their ideas. So be it. To whoever is attempted to resort to sources different from those authorized by the institution, ye be warned! Reporter, do restrict to report what and only what Ambohitsorohitra is reporting. « The bad faith « is the favorite expression used by the HAT reporters who contributed to broadcast the popular movement aiming to reverse an elected president elected on a propaganda background without a consideration for ethics.  

Paradoxically, these reporters who then got married with the new ruling power, and rewarded with official positions, are the ones teaching ethics their way and policing the idea flow. The Malagasy journalism’s crisis is actually so deep that every empowered figure now requires its personal version of the facts to be held and reporter as the lone true one. Reporters are now officially asked to restrict to repeat what the propaganda tells.