Fifty illegal radio and television stations have been shut down by Madagascar's Highest Transitional Authority's (HAT) Communication Minister Felix Malazarivo. At a press conference held in his office on Wednesday, Malazarivo said out of the 300 radio stations and 25 television stations officially recognized by the Communication Ministry, 50 were operating illegally. Malazarivo said the Special Audiovisual Communication Commission (CSCA) within his ministry had shut down those stations to protect the television viewers and radio listeners. The minister said some stations started operations without completing the necessary procedure for a permit to run test broadcast. Some others continued to broadcast long after their three-month trial period had come to an end. There were also stations failing to respect the terms of reference, the official added. 