MAURITIUS has to promote pluralism of cultures and local content, make sure that private broadcasting is not controlled by foreigners, that there is competition and that limitations are imposed on cross-media ownership. Although there was no written broadcasting policy in place in 2002 when licences for private radio stations were issued, there was broad consensus in society that private radios should be introduced in the country. SCORES: Individual scores: 1,4,2,1,3,2,3,3,2,3 Average score: 2.4 3.5 The public broadcaster is accountable to the public through a board representative of society at large and selected in an independent, open and transparent manner. ANALYSIS: The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is controlled by a Board which, according to the MBC Act, consists of 1. a chairperson, to be appointed by the Minister (in fact the Prime Minister’s Office, because the Prime Minister always heads the Ministry of Information), 2. the supervising officer of the Ministry, 3. the Director of Information Services, 4. two persons with experience in administration and labour relations, to be appointed by the Minister and 5. one person with experience in economics and finance, to be appointed by the Minister. Every ex officio member shall remain a member for as long as he/ she holds the office by virtue of which he/she became a member, African Media Barometer - Mauritius 2008 21