Tales From Madagascar

The detention of youth activist Rakotoarijaona Vonimahery, known as Mahery, and former presidential candidate Sylvain Rabetsaroana raises an important question about power in Madagascar: who is allowed to participate in public life, and on what terms? According to Amnesty International, both men are being targeted for peacefully exercising their rights. The organisation is calling for their release, arguing that detention should not be used to punish political expression, activism, or criticism of those in authority. This is a clear example of control overriding agency. Agency is the ability to speak, organise, question decisions, stand for public office, and take part in shaping the future of one’s country. These are not privileges granted by government; they are fundamental rights of citizenship. Control operates differently. It narrows the space in which people can act. It treats criticism as disloyalty, activism as disruption, and political competition as a threat. When peaceful ac...

Recently, we saw a local journalist invited on a press tour to the Donbas region, hosted by Russian interests. When the reports returned, they didn't just cover the conflict; they mirrored a specific, foreign state narrative. The West was painted as a source of misinformation, while the Russian perspective was presented as the objective truth.  This is not journalism; it is narrative capture.  Why This Matters for Madagascar This isn't just about a single trip or a single article. It is part of a broader strategy where foreign powers—Russia, China, and others—are actively building ties with local media and influencers.  *   The "Hybrid" Tool: In a hybrid system like ours, the government doesn't have to control every newspaper. Instead, they allow foreign-funded narratives to flourish because those narratives serve a dual purpose: they distract the public from local structural issues (like the tax reforms or budget deficits we’ve discussed) and they provide a conve...

In our last post, we saw how the "Global Chill" is creating a permissive environment for the suppression of press freedom. Now, we turn our gaze to the reality here in Madagascar. We have to ask: How is the information landscape actually controlled? If you look at the media landscape in Madagascar, it appears pluralistic on the surface. We have radio stations, TV channels, and newspapers. But if you look closer, you see a system designed to ensure that the "Agency" of the public is kept in check. The Three Pillars of Control 1.  State-Controlled Broadcasting: Public broadcasters like RNM and TVM are the "voice of the state." They don't just report the news; they follow government communication directives. Because they have the broadest national reach, they are the primary tool for shaping the national narrative, especially in rural areas where access to other sources is limited. 2.  The "Elite" Ownership Model: Much of the private media lands...

In our last post, we discussed the "Silent Cost"—how the fear of speaking out is not just a political problem, but a fundamental barrier to human agency. But if you think this silence is unique to Madagascar, you’re mistaken. We are currently witnessing a "Global Chill," and the data confirms it. Every year, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) publishes the World Press Freedom Index. It is the gold standard for measuring how much "Agency" the press—and by extension, the people—has to hold power accountable. The 2025 results are in, and they are sobering. For the first time since the index began, the global situation is officially rated as "difficult." The Map of Silence The 2025 Index shows a world where the "Control" side of our spectrum is gaining ground. More than half of the world’s population now lives in countries where press freedom is classified as "very serious." In just five years, the number of countries in the "br...

​ A few days ago, I was sitting with a group of my students. We were supposed to be covering our usual lesson, but the conversation drifted. We started talking about the state of things here in Madagascar.  One of my students said something that will stay with me for a long time. He wasn't just worried about himself ; he was worried for his family. He explained, speaking out isn't just a political act—it’s a dangerous gamble. If you raise your voice, you don't just risk your own safety; you put a target on the backs of the people you love most. That conversation reminded me of why I started this blog in the first place.  Speech as the Engine of Agency In our last series, we explored the tension between Agency (the power to act) and Control (the power to direct). We looked at how different political systems navigate that trade-off. But if Agency is the engine of a society, Freedom of Speech is the fuel. Without the ability to speak, to question, and to share information, the...

​ We have spent the last few days exploring the "Agency vs. Control" framework at a national level. But the truth is, this tension doesn't just exist in parliaments or presidential palaces. It happens in the streets, the classrooms, and the markets every single day. If you want to know which system you are living in, you don't look at the Constitution. You look at the daily friction of your life. 1. The Market Stall (Economic Agency) *   The Agency View: A vendor has the right to set up, buy goods, and trade without fear of arbitrary seizure. The state provides the infrastructure (roads, security) and stays out of the way. *   The Control View: The vendor is harassed for permits, forced to pay "informal taxes" to local officials, or restricted by monopolies. Here, the state is not a partner; it is a predator. 2. The Classroom (Intellectual Agency) *   The Agency View: Students are encouraged to ask "Why?" and taught that their ideas have value. *  ...