Madagascar / Africa

  
Medical students are pushed back by Malagasy security forces during a demonstration calling for improved healthcare and reform in the capital, Antananarivo, on October 7.

At least 4 journalists shot, assaulted in Madagascar protests

Dakar, October 21, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Madagascar to investigate those responsible for shooting two journalists and assaulting two others covering protests in Madagascar that forced the president to flee. “It is unacceptable that journalists who were simply reporting on a major news event were targeted by law enforcement agents,”…

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Authorities in Madagascar have threatened criminal prosecution against Gaëlle Borgia (left), a freelancer who contributes to TV5 Monde, and Radio France Internationale (RFI) correspondent Pauline Le Troquier (right), investigating the deaths of at least 32 people who attended a June birthday party in the town of Ambohimalaza, east of the capital Antananarivo. (Photos: Courtesy of Borgia, Le Troquier)

Madagascar threatens criminal sanctions against 2 journalists

Nairobi, August 19, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malagasy authorities to retract threats of criminal prosecution directed at Gaëlle Borgia, a freelancer who contributes to TV5 Monde, and Radio France Internationale (RFI) correspondent Pauline Le Troquier, and to ensure that the press can cover matters of public interest without interference. According to the…

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Malagasy journalist Fernand Cello

In Madagascar, journalist detained on false news charge over Facebook post

Dakar, February 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malagasy authorities to immediately release investigative journalist Fernand Cello, who has been in detention since his January 29 arrest over a Facebook post about President Andry Rajoelina. On January 30, a judge charged Cello with spreading false news and undermining national security and placed him…

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Gendarmes are seen in Antananarivo, Magascar, on April 7, 2020. Madagascar authorities recently jailed journalist Arphine Helisoa on false news and incitement allegations. (AFP/Rijasolo)

Madagascar journalist Arphine Helisoa jailed on false news, incitement allegation

New York, April 22, 2020 — Authorities in Madagascar should immediately release journalist Arphine Helisoa and halt the legal proceedings against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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CPJ calls on SADC heads of state to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists

CPJ writes to the executive secretary and heads of state of the Southern African Development Community ahead of the 39th Ordinary Summit, urging them to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists in SADC.

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After 50 years, journalism at a crossroads in Madagascar

Madagascar recently celebrated its 50th Independence Day, a milestone for a Malagasy press that has been documenting through difficult periods the nation’s tumultuous journey of self-rule. The funny thing is that most of our written press is in French, as in most former French colonies, and we never really question why that is or find…

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CPJ, African groups call for press freedom commitment

Your Excellencies: As you gather in Paris for festivities that celebrate your nations’ 50 years of independence, we, the undersigned African press freedom advocates petition for your public commitment to a free, vibrant, and self-sustaining press as a cornerstone of the development of francophone Africa in the next five decades.

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Soldiers raid Madagascar radio station, assault staff

New York, May 18, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the government of Madagascar to investigate a Saturday raid on the opposition radio station Fréquence Plus that resulted in the arrest of an opposition leader while he was on a live radio program, local journalists told CPJ. The soldiers injured three journalists and destroyed the…

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Attacks on the Press 2009: Madagascar

Top Developments• Rival leaders use media empires to pursue political goals.• Partisan attacks target journalists, news outlets. Key Statistic 1: Journalist killed in 2009, the first Malagasy media fatality ever recorded by CPJ. Malagasy journalists faced censorship, threats, and arrest as former president Marc Ravalomanana and new head of state Andry Rajoelina used their partisan…

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Philippines, Somalia fuel record death toll

CPJ survey finds at least 68 journalists killed in 2009 New York, December 17, 2009—At least 68 journalists worldwide were killed for their work in 2009, the highest yearly tally ever documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the organization said in its year-end analysis. The record toll was driven in large part by the…

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