Pastors committed to the defence of press freedom

A second prayer meeting is being organized by the FJKM church’s pastors involved in the clerical movement. “It is not that we prayed not enough, it is only necessary to reinforce these prayers”, explained one of the leaders. The committed clergymen are standing by their believers’ support to peacefully demonstrate their strength. The cause is noble and legal: the release of a jailed reporter, and the general fight for press freedom.  

Radio Fahazavana radio station’s Lolot Ratsimba and his director are still behind bars. They are charged of complicity with the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment of support and Support who made a political declaration inviting to a mutiny. “The journalist was on the scene in search of a scoop “, protested one responsible from the clergymen’s movement. Such a commitment is, first and foremost, aiming at rescuing the unfairly prosecuted church’s brethrens.  

“We are clerics, we are “raimandreny”, we are not going to do foolish things”, moderated the committed cleric. He emphasized that the movement’s priority target remains the release of both of Radio Fahazavana radio station’s reporters. But clerics openly declared to be committed to the defence of any other equally targeted reporter. “Prohibiting a program or closing a media station has led to uprising some time ago; today’s case is even worse since it is all about unfair jail sentences”.