MAURITIUS risk of having the attempt made public immediately. There are a few cases where journalists thank their sources or build “relationships” with gifts such as a bottle of whisky and the like. SCORES: Individual scores: 4,4,3,4,3,2,2,2,2,2 Average score: 2.8 4.9 Training facilities offer formal qualification programmes for journalists as well as opportunities to upgrade their skills. ANALYSIS: The University of Mauritius runs a BSc course in communication studies. It is available for part-time students primarily for those already in employment. One third of places is reserved for school leavers who finished their High School Certificate. The University of Technology also offers a course on media and communication. University courses tend to be rather theoretical and graduates do not leave as fully operational journalists. Unfortunately these beginners are then left to their own devices as there are no on-the-job training efforts in the newsrooms. Universities would like to hire working journalists as part-time lecturers but this has proved difficult as editors do not allow their staff to engage in such activities. The French Association of Professional Journalists offers in-house training. At the MBC, much training is provided for staff. However, given the lack of impartiality in the treatment of news, it is felt that trainees have no chance of putting their newly acquired knowledge into practice. African Media Barometer - Mauritius 2008 33