SECTOR 1 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 3.4 (2008 = 2.4) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. It is difficult to be outspoken in Mauritius because it is a small island where people know each other and are easily identifiable. When citizens choose to voice their opinions, they are more likely to do so off the record – either on private radio stations or within unofficial social settings. The majority of the citizens who call in to private radio stations tend to confine their comment to social or trivial issues. The right to freedom of expression functions at different levels and is dependent on which of the three sectoral categories Mauritians might find themselves: • • • Civil servants are prevented from passing information out to the media or the public at large, by strict regulation. Mauritians close to those in power exercise their rights fully and go as far as banning newspapers they consider ‘oppositional’ because they are aware that no punitive measures will be taken against them. The citizens who engage through the media will only address trivial issues. Although Mauritius has its share of outspoken members of society, there is a growing trend towards a more restrained and submissive reaction by citizens to government policies and actions. When approached by the media, the public either remains silent on the issue or opts to go off the record. This trend may be attributable to the State’s growing intolerance to a diversity of views and opinions. Any criticism of Government is met with the very common - and seemingly popular - same stock response of: ‘you belong to the opposition’. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010 11