The State of Communications in Madagascar

Madagascar's communications landscape is a unique blend of traditional and modern methods. The country has a mobile penetration rate of 55%, with over 12 million subscribers.

Mobile operators have played a significant role in expanding internet access, with many offering affordable data plans and promotions. This has led to a significant increase in internet usage, especially among the younger population.

Despite the growth in mobile internet, Madagascar's fixed broadband penetration remains low, at just 0.1% of the population. This highlights the need for more investment in fixed-line infrastructure.

Mobile internet is now the primary means of accessing the internet in Madagascar, with many people relying on their mobile phones for online activities.

The media landscape in Madagascar is a complex mix of public and private outlets. The country has a number of privately owned daily newspapers, including L'Express de Madagascar, Midi Madagasikara, Madagascar Tribune, and La Gazette de la Grande Ile.

These newspapers are joined by Lakroa (Cross), a Catholic weekly. The media landscape is also shaped by radio and television stations, with State-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) having an extensive national network reach.

Radio stations in Madagascar include both state-owned and privately owned broadcasters, with 3.05 million radios in use as of 1997. Television stations also have a significant presence, with Television Malagasy (TVM) having an extensive national network reach.

Here are some of the major radio and television stations in Madagascar:

Former president Marc Ravalomanana and current leader Andry Rajoelina own broadcasting outlets, which can influence the media landscape in Madagascar.

The media landscape in Madagascar is quite fascinating. One notable aspect is the presence of privately owned daily newspapers.

L'Express de Madagascar, Midi Madagasikara, and Madagascar Tribune are just a few examples of these privately owned dailies.

These newspapers are a vital source of information for the local population.

Madagascar Tribune and Midi Madagasikara, for instance, cater to the daily needs of readers with their comprehensive coverage of current events.

La Gazette de la Grande Ile is another privately owned daily that contributes to the diverse media landscape.

Lakroa (Cross), a Catholic weekly, offers a unique perspective on local issues.

Here are some of the notable newspapers in Madagascar:

Radio and television play a significant role in the media landscape of Madagascar. State-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) has an extensive national network reach.

Privately owned radio broadcasters serve cities and major towns, while state-run radio dominates in rural areas. Relays of 2 international broadcasters are available in the capital, Antananarivo.

A significant number of radios are owned by the population, with 3.05 million radios in use as of 1997.

The television landscape is also dominated by state-owned Television Malagasy (TVM), which has an extensive national network reach.

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Madagascar's media landscape is guided by the UNESCO Media Development Indicators, which were approved in 2008 to analyze the media environment.

The country's media development is a crucial aspect of strengthening democratic institutions and promoting free, independent, and pluralistic media.

A study conducted in 2014 by the Communication Research Center of the University of Antananarivo and national experts analyzed the media development in Madagascar and provided recommendations adapted to the country's specific needs.

The study was based on international standards and good practices, and its findings are a valuable resource for policymakers and media professionals.

Madagascar's media landscape is still recovering from the political crisis of 2009-2013, which led to strong political instability and economic stagnation.

The country's internet connectivity is limited, with fiber networks mainly available in national and regional capitals and areas of high wealth.

Microwave 3G and 4G towers are scattered around the countryside, but most remote areas still lack reliable internet access.

New solutions like Google X's Project Loon may soon provide connection to these areas, but for now, the best internet access is available in major towns and cities.

SIM cards require a passport and can take up to half a day to obtain, and data plans can be expensive, with 50GB of mobile data costing up to $100 for two months.

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Despite these challenges, Facebook and WhatsApp have become the primary means of communication for many Malagasy people, especially youth.

The free version of Facebook, provided by Orange and Facebook, has made it accessible to most people, and the youth of Madagascar have become thoroughly indoctrinated into relying on Facebook for basic messaging and social life.

Communications in Madagascar can be a bit of a challenge, but with some insider knowledge, you'll be navigating the island like a pro. In major cities, the phone network is good, thanks to the development of the three main telecom companies: Orange (032), Airtel (033), and Telma (034).

To make a call from France to Madagascar, simply dial +00261 + mobile number without the leading 0. For landline phones, it's 00 + 261 + 20 + phone number. You'll find sales points for SIM cards every 10 meters on the street, often under simple umbrellas or in small kiosks.

Buying a phone is also possible, and you can find basic phones at very good prices. This can be useful to avoid attracting thieves, as many Malagasy people have two phones: one smartphone used for photos or internet, and a simple mobile for calls and texts in the city. If you wish to buy a phone or just a SIM card, you'll be asked for your passport.

The mobile network is quite well developed in Madagascar, but you may occasionally pass through areas without coverage. With your smartphone and an Orange Malagasy SIM card, you'll have free access to Messenger and Facebook, allowing you to communicate easily.

Here's a list of the major telecom companies in Madagascar:

Keep in mind that high-speed internet is not a strong point in Madagascar, so you'll need to be patient. The major cities are well-served by 3G and 4G, but in the surrounding areas, you may only find 2G, or in some cases, no network at all.

Madagascar has a relatively well-developed telephone system, especially in the capital city of Antananarivo, where the main telephone exchange was modernized in the late 1990s.

The country has a calling code of +261 and uses the international call prefix 00. With 143,700 main lines in use, Madagascar ranks 138th in the world in terms of fixed-line telephone subscriptions.

The country's teledensity is 40 per 100 persons, a combined figure for both fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscriptions. This is a notable achievement, especially considering the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed.

Madagascar's internet landscape is quite interesting. The country has a top-level domain of .mg.

Internet penetration in Madagascar is relatively low, with only 2.1% of the population using the internet in 2012. This puts Madagascar at 201st in the world in terms of internet penetration.

The country has a decent number of internet hosts, with 38,392 hosts in 2012, ranking 127th in the world.

Madagascar has two internet cables, the Lower Indian Ocean Network (LION) and the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy), which connect the country to other parts of the world.

Internet users in Madagascar are allocated a relatively small number of IPv4 addresses, with 62,208 addresses allocated in 2012, which is less than 0.05% of the world total.

In 2013, the government of Madagascar and Malagasy Global Business S.A. signed an agreement to operate the Madagascar relay station in Talata-Volonondry.

This agreement allowed the station to serve as a hub for international broadcasting, providing a vital link between countries and cultures.

Among its customers are Radio Netherlands Worldwide, NHK World-Japan, and BBC World Service, which rely on the station to transmit their signals to a global audience.

The relay station plays a crucial role in facilitating global communication, enabling people to stay connected and informed despite geographical distances.

In Madagascar, the government has a history of restricting freedom of speech and press. Authorities have intimidated opponents and resorted to imprisonment or violence when threats fail to dissuade critics.

The de facto minister of communications has targeted those who expressed dissent, sending official warning letters to news outlets whose coverage displeased the regime. By the end of 2012, 80 radio and television station licenses had been withdrawn, and the stations were ordered to suspend broadcasting immediately.

Journalists have widely practiced self-censorship to maintain access to sources and remain safe. The editor of the national television station was suspended in September 2012 for having opposition politicians on the air.

In 2012, the editors of the private radio station Free FM were imprisoned for two days following a libel suit brought by a well-known backer of the de facto regime. The radio station was eventually closed in July 2012.

The de facto minister of communication made several statements throughout 2012 about restricting the Internet. However, there are generally no restrictions on access to the Internet, and the Internet is considered among the more reliable sources of information.

The law provides for freedom of speech and press, but the de facto regime and military actors actively and systematically impeded the exercise of these freedoms. The law prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, but homes and workplaces of opposition groups are subject to arbitrary searches without warrants.

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Here are some key points about the regulation and control of communications in Madagascar:

Journalists in Madagascar face verbal abuse from politicians and smear campaigns on social media.

Physical attacks on journalists are relatively rare, but they did occur during the elections that brought Andry Rajoelina to the presidency in November 2023.

Several journalists were physically attacked during political demonstrations in the run-up to the elections.

This kind of treatment can be intimidating and make it difficult for journalists to do their job.

The economic and social context of Madagascar's communications landscape is quite challenging. The country's media is plagued by a high level of concentration, which creates dominant positions and allows politicians to exert significant control over the media.

The current president and communication minister both head a media group, further exacerbating the issue. This concentration of power has disastrous consequences on the quality of news reporting and the independence of the media.

The Covid-19 crisis has made things even tougher, with a scarcity of advertising revenue leaving media outlets struggling to stay afloat. Very low salaries for journalists make them vulnerable to corruption, including the practice of "felaka", where event organisers give journalists a few banknotes in exchange for favourable coverage.

Journalists often find themselves in a conflict of interest due to their multiple jobs, including working for politicians. This can lead to self-censorship, as they may feel pressured to comply with the editorial line imposed by their politician-employer or avoid criticising advertisers who support their outlet.