Although the MBC has a news director, the editorial stance is decided upon by the DG. Material for the main news bulletin is edited and vetted by 3 key people – the director of news, the chief editor and the DG. In some cases, the DG will intervene and request changes to the script or the footage. Special attention is paid to stories that feature the Prime Minister. The 7:30pm evening news bulletin on television is watched by approximately 70 to 80 percent of the population. During his speech at an Eid (religious Muslim festival) function, the PM pointed out that there were at least five people in the room who were potential candidates for his position. At that moment, the cameraman panned to a specific individual in the room, and it was obvious that this instruction had been provided by a higher authority. The cameraman could not and would not have made the choice of his own volition. That kind of direction was meant to convey the message that this is a future candidate that people should consider. Another example: during a broadcast on a book launch, the author was narrating historical events in a biased manner that portrayed the ruling party heroically, and as the only liberators of the country. Ironically, a few seconds later, the PM appeared on television warning against historians who distort facts. Clearly, the use of media to distort factual and historical information seems to be acceptable only as long as news content reflects government in a positive way at all times. 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: 1.3 (2008 = n/a) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010 43