SECTOR 2

There are a variety of media products that cater specifically to the diverse
population of the country, but it is difficult to sustain a media product purely
on linguistic grounds. A weekly news magazine that was being published in
Hindi went under because it did not have a large enough consumer base. There
are, however, publications that are specific to the diverse ethnic and religious
groupings in Mauritius. Mainstream media make a concerted effort to include
different ethnic populations as news sources, especially when it is visible that
voices of certain groupings are missing.
Newsrooms receive a stream of invitations from all the diverse groupings in
Mauritius, and they make their editorial decisions based on the newsworthiness of
a story, as this is their priority – particularly for privately owned media. State radio
and television is bound by the MBC Act to ensure fair representation of all the
ethnic, religious and linguistic groups in Mauritius. Ensuring compliance with the
Act can, however, cause problems because an event has to be covered even when is
not considered newsworthy.

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: 			

3.3 (2008 =n/a ; 2006 = n/a)

2.9
The country has a coherent ICT policy, which
aims to meet the information needs of all citizens,
including marginalised communities.
Mauritius does not have an ICT policy. Instead, it has an ICT Action plan to
promote broader access and use of internet by its citizens. The Plan was developed
with various stakeholders, and is being implemented by the National Computer
Board (NCB).

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010

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