Malagasy journalists protest over media crackdown

By Fanja Saholiarisoa

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Dozens of journalists rallied in Madagascar's capital on Friday to protest against the imprisonment of a colleague and curbs on press freedom under the island's new army-backed government.

Critics say Andry Rajoelina, who ousted former leader Marc Ravalomanana in March with the support of renegade troops, has cracked down on political opponents, arrested rivals and attempted to muzzle the media.

"Our protest is a call for freedom of expression and opinion of all Malagasy journalists. As with every new administration, some organs of the press are favoured by the state and others are hindered," said out-of-work reporter Andry Lalaina.

The journalists, who gathered in a park, also called for the release of a colleague arrested last week on charges including destabilising the government and encouraging tax evasion.

The press freedom group, Reporters Without Borders, has accused Rajoelina's government of using heavy-handed measures to censor media on the world's fourth largest island. It has denied pressuring journalists.

The international community, which branded Rajoelina's takeover a coup, is calling for prompt elections to end months of instability which has hammered the $390 million-a-year tourism sector and worried foreign investors.

Vanilla producers also expect the political crisis to hit production, a key source of foreign exchange for the world's leading exporter of the flavouring.

On Tuesday, French and African diplomats said Rajoelina had told them he would not contest the next presidential elections. His office instantly denied he had done so.

Rajoelina, 34, told reporters on Wednesday he was negotiating a deal with some political factions to ban all ex-leaders from running in the next poll.

"Rajoelina is playing a cunning game whereby his main political opponents will be neutralised if he is forced to go under international pressure," said Lydie Boka of Lille-based StrategiCo. The former disc jockey clearly intends to keep his options open, she said.