Article
Building journalists capacity to champion access to information in Madagascar
The bill would enable people in Madagascar to access to public information. Journalists would be able to safeguard public interests and provide quality information to their citizens. It would also be an opportunity to strengthen citizens' participation in public debate by ensuring them the right to access the information they need through transparency and good governance.
In this context, the NGO Ilontsera launched an advocacy initiative to build a common vision on the right to access to public information and to facilitate the adoption of the bill in Madagascar. From November 2023 to December 2024, in a context of elections, Ilontsera built capacities of journalists, CSOs and members of parliaments. The workshops were based on both UNESCO鈥檚 and the training tools developed locally.
The workshop reminded me of the importance of the social roles of journalism and the importance of access to information in investigation to produce quality productions. This event also enabled me to make journalists aware of their duty to advocate for the adoption of this law so that they can do their job to the full.
The training was an opportunity to update journalism practices, particularly in remote areas, in the absence of public school of journalism in Madagascar.
The workshop enabled me to identify the gaps in my investigations, including access to sources, and to express freely the problems I face on a daily basis as a young journalist who is often marginalized. The discussions provided me with solutions and other good practices for seeking information when other sources are inaccessible.
The training culminated in the production of articles, videos, public engagement and a campaign supported by all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Communication and Culture, the elected members of Parliament and media specialists, in favor of this bill.
As an outcome of this project, a memorandum summarizing the key recommendations to continue the advocacy for the adoption of access to information law in Madagascar has been issued, and a network of 97 journalists and 10 CSOs was created to continue the advocacy efforts.
The Ministry of Communication has also publicly committed to support the accompanying measures for the adoption of the law, including the digitization of the administration, the training of Government officials and the strengthening of infrastructure.
This project was made possible thanks to the support of UNESCO鈥檚 International Programme for Development of Communication (IPDC). IPDC is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to promote media development within developing countries, countries in transition, and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations.
