wfn.org | WARC Concern for Detained Radio Journalists in Madagascar

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> News Release
> 31 May 2010

> Church radio journalists charged

Concern is mounting for eight radio journalists and technicians detained in 
Madagascar last week. The eight work for Radio Fahazavana, a church-supported 
station in the nation's capital, Antananarivo. BBC reports that on Friday the 
group was formally charged with threatening state security. The radio station 
has been shut down and its equipment confiscated by government officials.

A statement issued by the president and the general secretary of the World 
Alliance of Reformed Churches condemns political actions in the country which 
are curtailing freedom of expression and threaten the welfare of Malagasy 
citizens.

"We support the prophetic voices seeking to bring justice and reconciliation in 
Madagascar today," say Clifton Kirkpatrick, President, and Setri Nyomi, General 
Secretary, in a message sent to churches in 107 countries. Radio Fahazavana is run by the 
Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), a WARC member  church.

"These journalists must be given full protection while under arrest and allowed a 
fair and free hearing," says Nyomi.

In joining with WARC in expressing concern for the situation, Des van der Water, General 
Secretary of the Council for World Mission (CWM) writes: "We join with our friends 
from WARC in condemning this unfair and unjust action against the radio journalists. FJKM 
are a valued member of both WARC and CWM and we call for the immediate release of the 
journalists and a safe return to their families. Above all, we pray for a peaceful 
solution to this current round of violence and that a common sense of humanity will 
prevail for the welfare of all Madagascans.â??

On Friday, the head of the media office of Swiss Protestant churches and the general 
secretary of a Swiss church mission service delivered a letter to 
Madagascarâ??s ambassador to Switzerland expressing surprise that the Radio 
Fahazavana journalists and technicians had been detained and charged with attempting 
to destabilize the government.

"We have worked with these journalists for a long time," says Michel Kocher, director of 
Médias-pro and Jacques Küng, general secretary of DM-Echange et Mission in their letter. "We 
have offered several months of training including a course in media ethics."

Kocher and Küng ask the ambassador to transmit to Malagasy authorities their call for 
respect for freedom of expression in Madagascar. â??We are convinced that no government gains 
credibility by attacking freedom of the press,â?? they write.

The arrests come at a time when tensions are running high in Madagascar. On 20 
May,  Ranaivo Rivoarison, a pastor of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar 
(FJKM) was shot by government forces. He died from his wounds later in 
hospital. Several pastors from the church have reportedly gone into  hiding.

Reports say the eight detainees are journalists Josiane Ranaivo, Solomon Ratsimba, Jaona 
Olivier, Tiburce Soavinarivo, Philémon Raveloarison, Tiana Maharavo and 
technicians Andry Randrianasolo and Tsivoho Rakotoson.

> Kristine Greenaway
> Executive Secretary, Communications
> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> 150 Route de Ferney
> P.O. Box 2100
> 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
> tel.  +41.22 791 6243
> fax: +41.22 791 6505

> email: kgr@warc.ch

> web: www.warc.ch