ANTANANARIVO, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The college of journalists in Madagascar has urged certain media to stop their appeals for hatred and provocations among Madagascans.

    In a statement published by a French-language daily, Le Quotidien, here on Tuesday, the college, "Ordre des journalistes àMadagascar" (OJM) in French, called its colleagues for more restraint and to stop the hatred, incitement, rumors and misinformation in their news items and editorial line.

    "The OJM deplored the recent events taking place around the presidential palace, which resulted in the death of a colleague from a private TV and radio station and other compatriots," the statement said.

    The OJM expressed its condolences to all the families affected, calling the opposition parties for dialogue to find a solutions to the current crisis.

    It was time for journalists to remain united and to avoid all information which could lead to unfortunate consequences, the statement added.

    Ando Ratovonirina of private "Radio et Télévision Analamanga" (RTA) was shot dead while covering an anti-government demonstration outside the presidential palace here last Saturday.

    The 26-year-old reporter and cameraman was among scores of people who were killed or wounded when security guards opened fired on the protesters led by the opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.

    The bloody tragedy took place when Rajoelina and his supporters tried to force into the presidential palace to take over the presidential power following a mass gathering here early Saturday afternoon.

    At the mass gathering, Rajoelina, who elected mayor of the capital city at the end of 2007, proclaimed president of the island country and appointed a prime minister for his transitional government.