The 160th anniversary of Madagascar's first Gazette was celebrated Friday at Mahamasina, in a spirit of remembrance and reflection on the future of journalism.
On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the first Malagasy Gazette, Teny Soa Hanalan'Andro (1866-2026), the Malagasy journalism community officially launched, Friday July 17, at the Petit Palais de Mahamasina, a year of celebration centered on history, transmission, and professionalism. Discussions also addressed the challenges facing the profession in the era of social media.
First published in January 1866 by Protestant missionaries from the London Missionary Society (LMS), Teny Soa Hanalan'Andro is considered the first Malagasy Gazette. Initially, it primarily distributed religious, educational, and cultural content in the Malagasy language. Over the decades, the national press gradually developed, accompanying major stages in the country's history, from monarchy to independence, then to the Republic, before entering the digital era today.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Communication and Culture Gascar Fenosoa proposed creating a House of Journalists. This infrastructure would provide shared workspace for media professionals while serving as a symbol of Malagasy journalistic heritage.
The minister also recalled major milestones in press history, including journalism's beginnings in 1866, the 1959 press law, and the 1974 Press Charter. He particularly urged journalists to strengthen their professionalism against the pitfalls observed on social media, where misinformation and sensationalist content spread rapidly.
The Transition Committee for the Order of Journalists of Madagascar (CT-OJM) announced the organization of a training session for journalists in November. This initiative aims to support professionals in adapting to new realities of the profession and strengthening their skills.
A highlight of the ceremony was the testimony of Victor Georges Andriananjason, dean of Malagasy journalism, who shared more than six decades of experience. A journalist since 1958, he traced a career marked by journalism, public communication, international diplomacy, and culture. Founder of the Group of Independent Young Artists (GJAI) in 1959, he participated in organizing Independence celebrations in 1961 before pursuing higher studies in journalism in Paris. He collaborated with several international media outlets, including the BBC, while holding responsibilities within the United Nations in public information.
Through his intervention, Victor Georges Andriananjason reminded that journalism requires rigor, ethics, and responsibility. His career illustrates the evolution of Malagasy press and the openness of its professionals to international institutions and media.
Young journalists present also expressed their vision of the profession through a powerful declaration: "Ny asa fanaovana gazety anompo ny marina" ("Journalism is in service of truth"). A message that captures the spirit of this celebration, which not only commemorates 160 years of Malagasy press existence, but also invites professionals to preserve the fundamental values of the profession in a rapidly changing media environment.