H.E. Audrey Rajoelina
Head, High Transitional Authority
Presidential Residence
Antananarivo
Republic of Madagascar
Fax: (011.261.20) 222.7338
Your Excellency:
We of the Freedom of the Press Committee of the Overseas Press Club of America (OPC) are aware of your rise to power as head of the High Transitional Authority in Madagascar. In that role, you are challenged by your fellow citizens and the global community to demonstrate stable judgment, commitment to the law and the integrity of democracy.
The OPC and its Freedom of the Press Committee have been working to defend freedom of expression around the world for seventy years. We are aware of the restraints and abuses of media freedom during the months from January to late March, and deplore that, as indeed you did when you were in opposition. Claiming your new authority, you promised the Malagasy people an open and independent media and to that end, appointed a minister of communication, Gilbert Raharizatoyo, who assumed his role on April 17.
Sadly, reports from Madagascar indicate that you are repeating the same pattern of forced restraints on the media that you claimed were used by your opponent. Reports on opposition to your role are not permitted. In fact, the TV stations that control 80% of the television audience have failed to mention opposition demonstrations at peak viewing time. Viva, TV Plus and Radio Antsiva, all of which are said that you own, operate freely. Radio Mada, which supported the former president, has been closed. Other stations have been subject to vandalism. In short, censorship has again threatened liberty of expression.
We ask you, Sir, to respect the freedom of our colleagues whose job it is to convey information and news to the public as it occurs, freely and in a non-partisan manner, even when analytical. You know that the world is wary of your actions, and doubtful of your constitutional authority. We urge you to re-assure the global community of your plans to reinforce the power of democratic principles during your governance of Madagascar.
We look forward to your reply.
Respectfully yours,
Jacqueline Albert-Simon
Larry Martz
Freedom of the Press Commitee
cc:
H.E. Jocelyn Radisera
Ambassador of Madagascar to the U.S.A.
Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar
2374 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Faxl: (202) 265.3034
Ambassador Zima Anorianarizlo-Rozasy
Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Madagascar
to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 986.6271
H.E. Niels Marquardt
U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar
Embassy of the United States of America
14 Rue Ranitow, BP 620
Antananarivo
Madagascar