Press freedom threatened following state of emergeny declaration and attacks on private radio stations
Organisation:
RSF sent a letter to the President of the Republic to express its concern following the declaration of a state of emergency. The organisation called on the authorities to ensure that information pluralism is respected.
In a letter to President Didier Ratsiraka, RSF expressed its
concern following the declaration of a state of emergency, citing its
possible effect on press freedom in the country. "The legitimate search for
a return to calm should not translate into a calling into question of press
freedom in the country. The authorities must pay particular attention to
ensuring that information pluralism is respected," noted Robert Ménard, the organisation's secretary-general. "In addition, there have been a number of recent attacks on journalists and private media outlets. The head of state must consult with the relevant authorities in order to ensure that media professionals can continue to work securely during this crisis period," the secretary-general added.
According to information collected by RSF, President Ratsiraka declared a
state of emergency on 22 February 2002, after opposition figure Marc
Ravalomanana declared himself president. The measure gives the head of state total control over news broadcasts and enables him to limit freedom of expression.
In addition, during the night of 23 February, about ten masked men attacked
The offices of Ravalomanana Madagascar Broadcasting Service's (MBS) radio
station in Fianarantsoa (300 km south of the capital, Antananarivo). The
offices were set on fire and three night watchmen were seriously injured in
the attack. In the past few days, unidentified individuals have reportedly
also attempted to forcibly enter the MBS station in Antsirabe (150 km south
of the capital). "We have locked ourselves inside the station offices for
the past three days as we fear for our safety," the radio station's
editor-in-chief told a Madagascan daily.
On 20 February, striking secondary school students ransacked and threw
stones at the offices of the Amoron'i Mania Radio-Television (Art) station
in Ambositra les Roses (south of Antsirabe). The students were protesting
the station's coverage of events, which they considered to be
overly-partisan. The station is owned by the prime minister. Three days
earlier, an MBS crew was attacked in Brickaville (east of the capital) by
supporters of President Ratsiraka. On 2 February, Lieutenant-Colonel
Coutiti, the information minister's technical adviser, confiscated the
private FM 91 radio station's equipment in Nosy Be (an island in the
country's northern region) and closed the station. FM 91 is owned by a
provincial councillor who supports Ravalomanana.
Published on
Updated on
20.01.2016