The Malagasy journalists cleansing conscience

The debate was ignited by a meeting at the Espace Dera. A conference from the sociologist reporter, Rivonala Razafindrakoto, was the opportunity to address professionals from the media world. The conference equally addressed political party representatives as well as the Malagasy civil society. Nathalie Rabe HAT minister in charge of communication, was present to the meeting. 

The conclusion is clear: the world of press has, since the colonial era, been being a division factor in Madagascar. The guilts? Political sectarianism and propaganda, as well indeed as the hatred, purposely fuelled by the colonial power in order to induce division between Madagascans. 

Journalists conceded today that they have been contributing to the deterioration of Madagascar’s political crisis for a while. Communication media are definitely the number one broadcaster of various parties vindicating and subversive messages in the run of a political crisis. 

Some Malagasy reporters are definitely convinced that media groups are serving only a couple of ends, political gains and/or profits. The journalist’s job has always been being the way to provide clouds of objectivity to the ultimate goal. 

The political crisis has proved to have become a division bell for the press too. Since 2009, three reporters have been jailed. Such a thing has not happened for decades. The Union of Madagascan Journalists was precisely the beginning of the reaction to this new shape of prosecution against free press.