SECTOR 1 development are enemies of the nation.’ The panel pointed out that this may imply that those who dare to openly criticise the administration may be subject to particular repression. All journalists, whether in the opposition press, the private press or the public media, have to be cautious about what they say, publish or state in the public arena. There have been many trials against journalists, such as the “Helicopter Case” (30 August 2019). This case involved photographs of a helicopter flying over the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium being published by a journalist from the Malagasy Broadcasting System (MBS),4 a journalist from 24h Mada online media and the Antananarivo Urban Municipality’s Facebook page. Following a complaint filed by the Malagasy Army, this incident became a judicial case and the journalists were each fined 10 million ariary (US$2,600).5 In this specific case, the court applied the new article 20 of Act No. 2016-031 (which changed certain provisions of Act No. 2014-006 of 17 July 2014 on the fight against cybercrime),6 which provides: Any insult or defamation committed (...) against the National Armed Forces or a State (...) shall be punishable by a fine of 2,000,000 ariary (US$532) to 100,000,000 ariary (US$26,600). The pressure on social media activists is even greater, due to the aggressiveness of administrative defenders and some members of the administration who are omnipresent on social media. Some activists face real threats, while others have experienced intrusion into their private lives. A slander campaign has also been conducted. For example, citizens who criticise the government are facing harsh retaliation from “sympathisers” of the administration which has led to personal files being released into the public arena. An activist who published the president’s travel schedule was remanded in custody. The panel was concerned about whether media houses are willing or able to protect their journalists when faced with personal attacks. Journalists are often limited by the editorial line of their organisation or by the willing of press owners who must navigate according to the political context. Some press lords are among those who are in power. The panel also deplored the repression of demonstrators and found the Cybercrime Act to be repressive. One panellist noted that of its 41 existing articles, 20 are devoted to fines. Another panellist considers this instrument to be an extension of the Criminal Code. For the public service, despite efforts to open up the national television and radio channels to other horizons, particularly to opponents, the control of the ministry in charge, the Ministry of Communication and Culture (MCC), means that public service journalists must abide by state guidelines. True fairness and equality are achieved only during the election period. Indeed, the electoral law 4 5 6 A press group belonging to Marc Ravalomanana, former President of the Republic, who is the main opponent to the Andry Rajoelina administration. https://web.facebook.com/24hMada/ (accessed on 31 October 2019) http//edbm.mg/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Loi_2014_006_cybercriminalite.pdf (accessed on 5 November 2019) 12 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2019