SECTOR 4

In another incident, a young journalist working at a media organisation was
constantly mistaken as being from a higher caste. Her colleagues did not believe
her when she said she was not from this caste, as the position she held usually
only went to members of that caste. When her editor found out, he tried to do
everything possible to have her removed from her position.
One of the panellists felt that while this kind of partisanship may be considered a
bad practice, it could also be considered a good thing because it encouraged more
enterprising journalists to go out and start their own media products.
In contrast, the MBC hires a diverse range of people from different ethnic and
religious backgrounds to ensure that this diversity spills into the content of its
programmes.

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: 			

2.5 (2008 = n/a)

4.5
Journalists and editors do not practise selfcensorship.
The level of self-censorship practised by journalists depends on the story on which
they are working, and the organisation by which they are employed.
Self-censorship is common practice for journalists at the MBC. Although the
final decision regarding content lies with the Director of News, journalists are
aware of what will go on air and what will be scrapped. As such, they produce
news accordingly.
There were panellists who felt that journalists also have to practise self-censorship
when they are covering certain figures, who often make defamatory or racist
remarks. This self-censorship is practised to minimise the harm that may be
caused by repeating these provocative remarks.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010

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