In Madagascar, an inter-ministerial decision dated April 22 bans public demonstrations and the broadcasting of several radio and audiovisual programs “which are likely to disrupt public order and security and harm national unity”, in the light of a health crisis.
This text is more specifically aimed at interactive broadcasts, with telephone interventions from listeners and those containing political debates.
No less than nine programs are prohibited from being broadcast by the government as of yesterday, Friday, April 23, and throughout the state of health (fifteen days). The list, which indicates the text, is “non-limiting”, ie it can be extended.
Affected programs: Aoka Hazava (Viva radio), Anao ny Fitenana (Free FM), Tambatra miara-manonja tena izy (Viva Radio, Viva TV, Free FM, Alliance FM, Taratra FM, Kolo TV, Kolo FM), Miara-manonja (MBS, Az, Soa Radio), Kapotandroka (IBC), Dagens gäst (Real TV), Ca me dit (RTA), Don-dresaka (TV Plus), Rivotra (RDJ).
The decision is signed by the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, the Minister of Public Security, the Minister of Communications and Culture and the State Secretariat with responsibility for the Gendarmerie.
An “abuse of power” for Ravalomanana
That leaves the stunned Joël Ralaivaohita, publication director of the MBS channel, which is owned by ex-president Marc Ravalomanana and leader of the TIM party, which is one of the channels targeting the text: “It is an obstacle to freedom of expression.” We do not see the connection between the fight against the pandemic and this broadcasting ban. If it were a good idea, such a step would have been taken in different countries of the world, and it is not. ”
MBS, IBC, Real TV, Soa Radio and AZ radio channels will submit a request to the Prime Minister on Monday and write a letter to the various diplomatic representations, he said.
Former President Marc Ravalomanana gave him a press release late in the afternoon. “The current power uses this situation to establish a dictatorship that does not speak its name but is truly a dictatorship, because the measures taken, which in addition by interministerial decision are contrary to the constitution and the laws of the republic, “He was contacted by telephone and said that he also wanted to warn the various diplomatic missions in the country.
Me Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, Member of Parliament and TIM Party no. 2, also qualifies these measures as “dictatorial”. “All citizens, regardless of their side, must have the right to express themselves, especially in times of pandemic.”
For Gérard Rakotonirina, President of the Madagascar Journalists’ Order, “it is a clear obstacle to freedom of the press. Since the country is in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, is it really a priority? Focusing on programs in which citizens can participate is not trivial, it is a contempt for democracy and a worrying signal for the country. This decision is contrary to Articles 10 and 11 of the Constitution, as is Article 19 of the Declaration of Human and Civil Rights. ”
Not the first time
The programs aimed at the inter-ministerial decision are all broadcast on private channels that have different political colors: there are, of course, opposition channels, but also pro-power channels.
“It is both subtle and at the same time not,” responds Faraniaina Ramarosaona, coordinator of the ROHY platform, which brings together several civil society organizations. The government wants to use the excuse for impartiality, but in reality it remains completely censored. We have returned to the “Ratsirakist era” with methods of censorship that differ in form. Let’s hope the executive does not attack social networks. ”
This is not the first time that power has crashed during the pandemic. On Friday evening, February 5, the MBS channel had already been suspended on the island’s three satellite packages, following a government decision made by ordinances, urging people to revolt and broadcast fake news, depending on the reasons for the order.
In the latest report from NGO Reporters Without Borders, on the state of press freedom, which was published earlier this week, Madagascar thus fell from 54th to 57th place. “The health crisis was also the reason for a reversal of the public debate, with a ban on live interventions by listeners and the obligation for all private audiovisual media to broadcast pandemic programs on antennas and airwaves in the public media,” the report said.
