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: 1.4 (2008 = 2.7) 1.12 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups. Although Mauritius has not enacted any media laws in the last decade, it is apparent that there is no significant consultation with the public around any legislation that has been passed. The State tends to inform citizens about new legislation rather than engaging them in a collaborative way. The private sector is sometimes consulted before the enactment of legislation that may impact on them, because they are considered a powerful lobby group. Since 2005, the Prime Minister has noted his desire to introduce a Media Commission Bill. In more recent years, he engaged his advisor, Geoffrey Robertson (Queens Counsel), to look into the drafting of new legislation in this regard. Robertson met with stakeholders from various sectors, including the media, and submitted a report to the PM replete with recommendations. Robertson is an activist and human rights lawyer who is very progressive in his thinking on media freedom issues, so some panellists believed that it is very unlikely that the State will publicise the report. They also felt that involving principled and prominent individuals to undertake these tasks gives the State legitimacy in that it creates the impression that there has been a consultative and credible process involving citizens. In many instances, Parliament has appointed a Select Committee to look into critical issues. The Select Committee has the authority to interview people and invite proposals around these issues, and the information is used to compile AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010 21