Malagasy reporters far from any real reconciliation,

A debate about “Journalism victim of journalists” took place in the morning of May 3rd in the communication superior school facilities, SAMIS ESIC. It turned into an opportunity for a certain number of journalists to address deviations during the year 2009. The debate was followed by the inauguration of the reporters´ order´s former stele transformed into a monument to press freedom, in Analakely. 

The HAT´s communication minister Harry Rahajason, took part to all of the events, including a lunch with his colleagues in Ambohimanambola, on the capital city´s outskirts in which the commission in charge of sharing out professional cards starred.  

A handful of reporters of the late MBS group, belonging to the president in exile, Marc Ravalomanana, equally took part in these events. Some reports concluded that reconciliation was completed, as the current minister used to be a passionate commentator on the Radio Viva radio channel´s waves, belonging to Andry Rajoelina. 

It was definitely a hasty conclusion. The quest for a real reconciliation between reporters directly involved in the Malagasy political crisis proves to be difficult, very difficult. As a proof: none of the 9 journalists jailed in 2009 and in 2010 was at the lunch with the minister in Ambohimanambola. Common ground between reporters supportive of the High Authority of Transition and those supportive of convicts is for the time being impossible. No one made the first move forward. 

The HAT has, as a matter of fact, beaten the national record of the repression again journalists. Nine reporters have been jailed in two years, an absolute record. Didier Ratsiraka, and the socialist dictatorship, merely resorted to censorship against the press. Under Albert Zafy, the country enjoyed the boom of private radio stations. Under Marc Ravalomanana, radio stations have well been closed, but the régime strained to spare journalists as much that possible. 

Now, “decriminalization” of press offenses are more and more on schedule. The system is simple: paying fines rather than going to jail. The communication code is equally a constant debate. But that project is deemed to come true within ten years at the earliest.