African Media Barometer Madagascar

Political instability and the fact that laws that ensure free and independent media have not been implemented since the last African Media Barometer (AMB) report in 2010, have created an atmosphere where intimidation, abuse of power and harassment have become daily realties. The 2012 AMB report for Madagascar finds that self-censorship is the modus operandi in most media houses, as most newspapers, radio and television stations are owned and controlled by a handful of people. This leads to biased reporting. As a result, journalists stay silent on subjects they deem sensitive out of fear of being reprimanded or fired. The situation contributes to an unequal coverage, whereby the rich and most influential get most coverage and the poor majority remains voiceless. Most journalists work under precarious conditions with low salary, lack of facilities, lack of social security, and without participating or organizing themselves in professional associations or unions.