Enhancing Democratic Systems

The Media in Mauritius: A Dialogue Session

Christina Chan-Meetoo, Roukaya Kasenally, Christina Chan-Meetoo, Roukaya Kasenally

• Publisher: Langaa RPCIG
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9789956727193
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9789956728015
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: African Politics
• Index: Social Sciences

It is in Mauritius that the first newspaper of the African continent was published. Annonces, Affiches et Avis Divers was created in 1773 by the French administration for the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. Since its independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has known a very rich media history with an impressive number of publications and a relatively good level of press freedom. However, many challenges remain. Confrontational episodes in the relationship of the local media with the political sphere, the rise of sensationalist journalism, increased concentration of ownership in the industry as well as market uncertainties have taken their toll on a profession which often prides itself in the defence of freedom of speech and democracy. The media conference jointly organised by UNESCO and the University of Mauritius in 2010 offered a singular opportunity the first time ever in Mauritius for media practitioners, regulators, lawyers, politicians, academics and civil society to discuss the state of the media as part of the countrys democratic systems. Media roles and functions, the legal and regulatory framework, self-regulation, market issues and new trends such as citizen journalism were thoroughly examined. This book brings together papers and conclusions from that conference. Whilst much ground has been covered especially since the emergence of private radio stations, much still needs to be done to move towards a true media democracy. The book points to media governance, access to information, training of and professionalism among media practitioners as areas of unfinished business. This is an invaluable contribution to on-going debates about press regulation, liberalisation of electronic media, new forms of journalism, continuous training and professionalization in Mauritius.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• The Concept Note - Enhancing Democratic Systems the Media in Mauritius: A Dialogue Session The concept note
• Welcome Remarks - Professor Sanjeev Sobhee. Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies & Humanities
• Opening Speech - Associate Professor Daneshwar Puchooa. Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Mauritius
• Keynote Speech - Amadou Mahtar Ba. CEO African Media Initiative (AMI)
• 1. Constitutional and Legal Frameworks Opportunities and Constraints for the Media Industry in Mauritius
• 2. Freedom and Transparency: A Journalistic Appreciation
• 3. Freedom and Transparency: A Journalistic Appreciation
• 4. Élargir l’Espace Démocratique: La presse mauricienne et le citoyen informé
• 5. L’Intégrité des Institutions Publiques: Le cas de la MBC
• 6. Radios Privées: Entre impératifs commerciaux et service public
• 7. 21st Century Broadcasting: The Need to Reinvent and Revisit Established Systems. The Case of Mauritius
• 8. The Role of Regulation
• 9. L’Auto-Régulation: Le Code de Conduite de la NEPA
• 10. State or Self Regulation: The Search for Common Ground
• 11. Mainstream Political Parties and the Media
• 12. Partis Politiques et Médias
• 13. Mainstream Political Parties and the Media
• 14. Interactive session with mainstream political parties
• 15. Extra-parliamentary Dynamics and the Media
• 16. Extra-parliamentary Dynamics and the Media
• 17. The Media and Free & Fair Elections
• 18. New Spaces, New Challenges: The Relevance of Regulation
• 19. Les nouveaux habits (virtuels) du journaliste
• 20. Citizen journalism as a means to make people think
• 21. The Emerging Digital Environment: Opportunities and Constraints
• 22. Training and Professionalism
• 23. Presse et Formation: Du journaliste au « journanalyste »
• 24. Journalism and Training: Views of an insider
• 25. Formation et Professionnalisme
• 26. Formation et Professionnalisme
• Annexes
• Back Cover