If the country was not in such a negative political and economic space, these positive developments would indeed benefit the extension of freedom of expression, freedom of the media and a greater adherence to professional code of ethics. Political and economic crisis have aggravated the problems the media is facing, effectively reducing the impact of the progress made and described above. The government’s inability to implement laws that ensure an environment that is conducive to the development of free and independent media creates an atmosphere where intimidation, abuse of power and plain and simple harassment are common. Without the guaranty and protection of a law pertaining to the access to information, journalists today work in a legal jungle, where the strongest, richest and most influential has the last word while the weak, the poor get blocked. The most direct effect of the political and economic crises the country faces has resulted in a polarisation of (public) debate. To hear a citizen, neutral or independent in his/her thoughts, speak out in Madagascar is near impossible today. Each and every Malagasy is seen as an ally of X or Y, which sadly means that everybody who does not support the same person is held to be an adversary. Unfortunately, even media professionals, who should set an example and remain impartial, are no exception. The politicisation and the concentration of media ownership, where every politician and entrepreneur is convinced that his fortune depends on a more and more total control of the means of communication has contributed tremendously to this polarisation. Given that media bodies are owned and controlled by a handful of people, public debate has become increasingly monolithic albeit the impressive amount of newspapers, radios and televisions. Journalists point towards owners, who tend to be motivated by political and economic interests, and who are increasingly interfering in decision-making processes. Self-censorship has become the modus operandi in most media houses today. The fear of being reprimanded or fired is causing many journalists to stay silent about subjects they deem sensitive for their owners. Working under precarious conditions: low and unstable salaries, lack of facilities or social security, non-existent career opportunities, many journalists barely manage to make ends meet. The fact that media professionals have failed to organise themselves in professional associations and unions has aggravated the situation. Today we are faced with a widespread laissez-faire attitude where mistakes are neither reprimanded nor sanctioned. The panellists agreed that without the protection of the laws of the Republic and without the pressure of both the associations and efficient professional unions, the insecurity in which media professionals operate in Madagascar, will only lead to a decrease of the range of liberties in which the media express themselves and by extension, the Malagasy people. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 65