MAURITIUS SCORES: Individual scores: 3,4,3,3,4,3,5,3,4,3 Average score: 3.5 3.11 The public broadcaster offers balanced and fair information reflecting the full spectrum of diverse views and opinions. ANALYSIS: There is no fair and balanced information on MBC radio or TV. That is why the corporation is seen as pro-government and there are many reasons which justify this perception. The MBC TV prime news bulletin, for example, regularly starts off with a story on the Prime Minister (a former chief editor of the MBC was sacked after he broadcast a news item on the Prime Minister in second position only). Following this lead story the sequence of news is determined by the political hierarchy. This ‘policy’ is not a written order, it is just understood to be the right thing to do. SCORES: Individual Scores: 1,2,1,1,1,1,3,2,2,1 Average score: 1.5 3.12 The public broadcaster offers as much diverse and creative local content as economically achievable. ANALYSIS: The MBC offers a diversity of entertainment programmes including lots of local music shows, local drama, films, documentaries and children’s programmes. 26 African Media Barometer - Mauritius 2008