JOURNALISTS DENOUNCE "THREATS" TO PRESS FREEDOM

UNCLAS ATANANARIVO 001320

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E, DRL
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM SCUL MA
SUBJECT: JOURNALISTS DENOUNCE "THREATS" TO PRESS FREEDOM

REF: A) ANTANANARIVO 1297 B) ANTANANARIVO 1304 C) ANTANANARIVO 1142


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Events stemming from the recent botched coup
attempt (reftels A and B) have highlighted the question of freedom
of the press in Madagascar. The Government of Madagascar's (GOM)
heavy-handed attempts to manage media coverage of coup-plotter
General Fidy's actions, alongside a stern warning from President
Ravalomanana for journalists to check their facts or face the
consequences, have some journalists crying foul. The GOM was
arguably in its right to ask for the media's cooperation in light of
national security concerns, but it is up for debate whether the
government crossed a line. Post will carefully monitor the
situation, in particular to see if press freedoms are limited or if
the GOM follows through on any alleged threats. For now, it appears
the journalists are protesting before they have anything real to
protest about. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Late November 18, journalists at two private television and
radio stations received visits from a Ministry of Communication
official requesting copies of the previous day's coverage of the
coup attempt and private interviews with General Fidy (reftels).
The stated purpose of the request was not to prevent the stations
from airing the tapes (they had already been broadcast in any case),
but rather to obtain evidence to assist the GOM in its efforts to
find and arrest the renegade general. The GOM representative asked
one station to collaborate in ceasing all reporting about General
Fidy to avoid inflaming the security situation, saying there were no
sanctions against the station "at this time." The other journalist
received conflicting messages from high-level Ministry of
Communication officials: one told her media stations will be shut
down if they continue to broadcast information on General Fidy,
while the Minister of Communications privately reassured her that
the media was under no threat. After handing over the copies, both
stations claim to be on edge and practicing self-censorship. (Note:
Post notes that public media, all newspapers, and at least one other
private television station continue to freely cover the General Fidy
story. End Note.)


3. (U) In response to some inaccurate and sensationalistic coverage
of the coup attempt, President Ravalomanana issued a strong warning
during a November 19 campaign speech to all journalists and media
outlet owners not to publish unchecked news, lest he take action
against them (reftel B). Losing his cool in public, the President's
statements were a rare departure from a carefully choreographed
political appearance. In response, a crisis committee of Malagasy
and foreign journalists formed and issued a statement condemning
attempts to censor the media and threats to close media stations.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: Some journalists are undoubtedly practicing
self-censorship, but it appears their allegations of threats to
press freedom go far beyond the actual actions of the GOM at this
point. The GOM was in its right to ask for the media's cooperation
in light of national security concerns, but it is up for debate
whether GOM officials overstepped their boundaries by allegedly
suggesting some stations could be closed for failure to cooperate.
The government's mishandling of other election-related events in
recent weeks (reftel C) suggests this may be another case of slow
response followed by rash action. We will continue to monitor this
situation throughout the election period, but unless the GOM follows
through on the threats alleged to have been made, Post will remain
unconvinced that these journalists have a legitimate gripe. END
COMMENT.

MCGEE