Media barometer 2010: Worsening working conditions for Malagasy journalists

Journalistic practice in Madagascar is not entirely secure during the past two years. Professional journalists, representatives from the civil society and other institutions involved in the development of the Media Barometer 2010 all agree of the existence of insecurity inside the profession.

The media world has not really evolved in Madagascar since 2008, the year when the last assessment of the sector was performed. Despite the emergence of new newspapers and magazines as well as new press organizations since 2008, the media world, namely the working conditions of journalists have even become deteriorated. And such situation was mainly caused by the insecurity and poverty brought about by the violent political crisis. These are, among others, the results of the Media Barometer 2010 which were presented yesterday by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation at the Hotel Colbert.

Panelists also deplored the existence of fanaticism and partisanship in the world of journalism in Madagascar. They also stressed the deterioration of the working conditions of Malagasy journalists in terms of technical means, salary but also in terms of security. Relationships between journalists are also worsening as they often tend to even become themselves the actors of the crisis. They finally recommended thematic trainings for all journalists and special training on the management of a public media company for media managers.