Coronavirus in Madagascar: a TV channel Victim of Sabotage

Already put on notice by the authorities, a television channel is deprived of the antenna after the sabotage of its transmitter while it was preparing to rebroadcast the interview with a former president criticizing the management of the health crisis by the authorities . Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the authorities to shed light on the case and to guarantee the free exercise of journalism, which is more essential than ever in the midst of the global health crisis.

The signal from Real TV has been cut for a week. While she was preparing to replay the interview with Marc Ravalomanana, the former president and historic rival of the current head of state Andry Rajoelina, the transmitter and the antenna of the private channel were damaged by strangers during the night of April 6 to 7. In a press release, the director of Real TV condemns these acts of sabotage and is astonished that individuals have been able to enter the scene despite the presence of soldiers “supposed to ensure the security of this strategic place.”

These events are all the more disturbing as the channel was officially in the crosshairs of the authorities for its treatment of news related to the coronavirus. Like Radio Soleil , an independent private station and Radio AZ , a media outlet close to the opposition, Real TV was recently summoned by the Ministry of Communication and Culture, in particular for not having relayed live newsletters on the epidemic disseminated by public media. The sanction against Real TVwas also about the interview with the former president, broadcast on March 25. Marc Ravalomanana then deplored a late closure of the borders of the big island and estimated that the power could not manage this crisis alone. An intervention qualified by the ministry of incitement to hatred against the authorities and civil disobedience.

“The fight against the coronavirus cannot be used as a pretext for an exacerbated control of information and for sanctions targeting the media who would dare to relay criticisms on the management of the current health crisis, says Arnaud Froger, head of the Africa office of RSF. As for sabotage acts targeting television broadcasting equipment, even though it is supposed to be kept by the military, it must be the subject of an impartial investigation allowing the identification of those responsible. It is not acceptable that in addition to being put under pressure, a media can be attacked with impunity ”.

The subject is so sensitive that vindictive expression against the authorities on social networks can lead to prison. The Malagasy justice has just refused to grant the request for release of the director of publication of the newspaper Valisoa, Arphine Rahelisoa , imprisoned since April 4 for having qualified on a Facebook page as assassin the president of the country for his management of the health crisis.

While the country has 108 cases of Covid-19 and no deaths, the Malagasy authorities have taken some of the most restrictive measures for the media in Africa. Radio stations and television channels are obliged to broadcast official information on the coronavirus, under penalty of sanction. This directive should not be subject to any restriction on the information that the media may publish according to the Minister of Communication. Free-to-air programs giving voice to listeners were also banned as part of the state of health emergency.

Madagascar ranks 54th in the World Press Freedom Index established by RSF in 2019.