The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the arrest of Evariste A. Ramanantoanina, a journalist working with Radio Mada, which occurred on Tuesday 5 May at his residence located in the district of Andrononobe Analamahitsy.

“We are concerned by the lack of security for journalists in Madagascar. It is regrettable that, just two days after the celebrations of world press freedom day which was marked by promises of improving the situation from the authorities of this country, threats to journalists continue ,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. “This climate of intimidation to silence journalists must cease immediately.”  

On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, Evariste Ramanantsoavina, senior producer at Radio Mada, was dragged from his bed at 5 o'clock in the morning, to be questioned about the radio station.   For some time, this radio which had previously been ransacked, has been threatened with closure.

IFJ demands the immediate release of journalist Evariste and calls on the authorities in Madagascar to fulfil the promises made on 3 May when the representative of the High Authority of Transition (HAT) expressed their willingness to engage the press and journalists in general on their declaration that pluralism in the press is one of the guarantees of democracy.

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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide