SECTOR 4 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: 2.4 (2008 = 2.4) 4.6 Owners of established mainstream private media do not interfere with editorial independence. Interference from owners is rife. When journalists submit stories on certain issues or individuals, what is published the next morning may not be the same story. The byline will remain, but the content of the story is vastly different from the one submitted by the journalist. The content has not just been edited, it is often rewritten. Media in Mauritius are run purely on commercial lines, and the owners want to wield their influence through this powerful medium. The idea is to influence public opinion. Advertisers will attempt to have stories spiked, but this is not always successful because they hardly ever threaten to pull out their advertising. Sometimes the editor will try to get the journalist to tone down the story because the organisation relies on the revenue generated by the advertising. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MAURITIUS 2010 57