Nathalie Rabe: using the SCAC to have a grip on the media world

The Special Commission for the Audiovisual Communication is, therefore, being sent back in action by the transitional authorities to correct unpleasant details. The Radio Fahazavana’s broadcasting ban allegedly was a purely administration based measure stemming from a departement of the Ministry for Communication.  The political stake proves, however, to be obvious since this station belonging at the FJKM protestant church happens to be the single one inclined to criticise the authoritarian authorities, and to provide news about the Ravalomanana mobility by the same way.  

The minister in charge of Communication produced quite a technical statement as justification. Nathalie Rabe conceded that enforcing the implementation of all specifications media group after media group would be a hard job. The Special Commission for Audiovisual Communication will be an independent organ assigned to referreing and pledging respect of the new Communication law’s rewritten rules of engagement. A single system’s computerized license management would be instituted. According to the minister, this will serve the OMERT as a mean to monitor technical compliance with specifications, namely broadcast ranges, and it will also serve the state as a way to spot tax evaders. 

Nathalie Rabe estimated that incitements to hatred and violence are inacceptable in media waves within a “democracy”. The minister in charge of Communication went as far as sending a recall to order letter to Andry Rajoelina’s Viva radio channel. The imposed authorities’ defenders actually happen to be the most virulent speakers on the waves. Disparagements, calls to “take care” of the three other mobilities’ homes, to conduct arrests, as well as various personal attacks have become, between others, things of the daily life.    

The minister for Communication is not keen on displaying too obvious partiality. However, the immediate ban for the opponent against a late blame for the home side could hardly pledge equity as such. Nathalie Rabe got her share of vivid criticisms from radio Viva’s animating reporters: they openly took the mick out of her excessive zeal though not having been part of the so-named “popular” struggle which led to oust the elected president. Would radio Viva’s  propaganda war deeds before and after the putsch entitle the station to a particular statute, at least during the transitional period? 

Minister Nathalie Rabe played a low profile and accepted to receive representatives of the previously municipal but now presidential radio station. Unfortunately, a new blunder was dimmed to spoil her reputation. The TV Plus TV station’s representatives, meaning to join the sector’s meeting with the minister, have been denied entry. Only Viva had been “invited” for having asked for an appointment, so read the motive. The clusmsy responsibles finally agreed to invite the odd ones. TV Plus certainly contributed to the TGV movement, but quickly swayed to the neutral and critical editorial position.  

Stemming from the world of advertisement, being the co-founder of a big communication agency, Nathalie Rabe is being expected to deliver in information management. The national waves have, more than ever, become the transitional authorities’ vital propaganda weapon. State owned reporters are being driven to produce precise reports aiming at confirming or contradicting who knows who’s information. The TVM or in the RNM waves are scarcely accessible for the opposition. The latest scoop is the young first lady more and more often under the spotlights. Mialy Rajoelina is regularly accompanied by very active communication advisors from the radio… Viva. Ambohitsorohitra definitely shut its doors to reporters judged far too critical against the regime