SECTOR 2

2.6
Government promotes a diverse media
landscape with economically viable and independent
media outlets.
Government does not provide any concessions that specifically target the media
industry. It also does not have any policy to promote the development of small
scale independent media organisations. Government will, however, support
smaller publications whose content does not reflect negatively on it through the
placement of government advertising. Among those that receive such advertising
are Le Matinal and Le Socialiste, which probably get the bulk of government
advertising.

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 =n/a)

2.7
All media fairly reflect the voices of both women
and men.
Opinion on this indicator was divided, with one group of panellists feeling that
women are unfairly treated, and are only seen but not really heard. They agreed that
women were always in the headlines as victims of rape and domestic violence, or
as a depiction of a social problem, but that they were very rarely used as sources of
news. Celebrities or high-profile women in positions of power may be given space
or airtime, but their voices are usually only heard on fashion, lifestyle or soft social
issues. Their comment is very rarely sought on policy issues, and never sought on
economic issues. It was highlighted that society in Mauritius is patriarchal and
men are a strong majority in the media throughout the different structures.
Other panellists, however, pointed out that the latest report by Media Watch
indicated that there has been improvement, and that women are being portrayed
more fairly. The example provided was that an employee at the MBC had recently
been in the media limelight for several days, talking about what she saw as her

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010

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