Madagascar: Police Injure Journalist Finoana Razafijaonimanana with Stun grenade

In a troubling escalation of violence against the press in Madagascar, journalist Finoana Razafijaonimanana was injured by a stun grenade during a clash between police and demonstrators in Antananarivo. The incident occurred as tensions mount ahead of the country's presidential election on November 16, in which incumbent President Andry Rajoelina is seeking another term. The Coalition For Women In Journalism firmly denounces the recent assaults on journalists and expresses its unwavering support for Finoana Razafijaonimanana. We demand authorities conduct a thorough investigation into these incidents to ensure that justice is delivered. It is imperative for the government to guarantee the security of journalists and maintain the freedom of the media, particularly given the forthcoming election. Razafijaonimanana, a reporter for Fréquence Plus, was filming an opposition demonstration when she was hit in the leg by shrapnel from a stun grenade. Video footage reviewed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) appears to show a gendarme deliberately targeting journalists with the grenade. This incident is part of a worrying pattern of violence against journalists in Madagascar. In recent weeks, as the nation prepares for its presidential election, a dozen journalists have been attacked either by police or supporters of President Rajoelina. The attacks have raised serious concerns about media freedom and the safety of journalists in the country. On November 4, during another opposition demonstration in Antananarivo, nine journalists suffered injuries when gendarmes fired tear gas and stun grenades. Among the injured were Leonardjo Andriamparany and Dolph Rakotoniaina, video reporters for Real TV and Dream’in, respectively, who sustained leg and hip injuries from a grenade explosion. Earlier, on October 13, during a pro-Rajoelina rally, journalists were verbally assaulted by the president's supporters. Tokinirina Rafalimanana, a reporter for Tia Tanindrazana, had his phone forcibly taken, and Gaëtan Andriatsilavohery of Kolo TV, along with Mickaella Andrianjaka of Real TV, were subjected to verbal attacks. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these attacks and calls for the Madagascan authorities to conduct impartial and independent investigations to bring those responsible to justice. The government must ensure the safety of journalists and uphold media freedom, especially in the context of the upcoming election.