SECTOR 2

system. There are no local private TV stations, but international television services
such as Canal Plus or the subscription service DSTV are available via satellite.
Legislation that should pave the way for setting up private television stations
is rather restrictive in terms of the financial constraints it presents. This may be
considered the main hurdle as there are very few Mauritian organisations that can
afford to put up the kind of money needed to start a private television station. La
Sentinel has the funds and resources to go on air as a private television station, but
it has not been granted a television licence yet.
Internet
While there is a desire for Mauritius to be a cyber island, internet is still a new
phenomenon in the country. A decade ago, TIME magazine reported Mauritius
as being the first island to be completely covered by WIFI. However, internet
cafes are mostly located in larger towns. Internet is still expensive and is not as
accessible as other mediums. However, more and more young Mauritians are
gravitating towards new media which they access through their mobile phones.

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: 			

3.9 (2008 = 3.5)

2.2
Citizens’ access to domestic and international
media sources is not restricted by state authorities.
Government wrote to L’Express newspaper to cancel their subscription and
demanded their money back because they had paid in advance. In addition, a
circular was sent to all government departments, forbidding them from buying
L’Express. As mentioned earlier, the newspaper is not available on Air Mauritius
flights or in public libraries.
A wide range of international media sources - irrespective of whether they are
print, broadcast or internet - are available. Radio France International (RFI) and

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010

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