Protest against tougher fines over non-payment of MBC/TV dues

Extra parliamentary political party Linion Pep Morisien (LPM) intends to organize a protest rally in Port-Louis on June 25 to protest against a possible toughening of fines for non-payment of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) license fee.

The MBC is the State-owned national TV broadcaster.

According to proposed new amendments to the MBC (Collection of License Fees) Act, anyone who refuses to pay MBC fees runs the risk of being slapped with a fine of Rs 50,000 and a prison term of up to two years.

LPM spokesperson Dev Sunnasy said this is an unfair measure.

This new penalty will be applicable once the MBC (Collection of License Fees) Act is amended.

The announcement is reportedly “hidden” in the annex of the 2022/2023 budget speech of Finance Minister Renganaden Padayachy.

Previously, offenders faced a fine of up to Rs 1,000.