Catholic Church, Cardinal Piat go to Court to challenge IBA decision

The Diocese of Port-Louis and Cardinal Maurice E. Piat have knocked at the doors of the Supreme Court to seek a judicial review of a decision by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

The latter rejected the complaint of the Diocese against the Mauritius Broadcasting Authority (MBC) after the State-owned broadcaster censored extracts of the Cardinal’s Christmas message.

In his affidavit cited by Defi Media, Cardinal Piat was cited as stating that the IBA’s decision was communicated on February 18, 2022.

The IBA reportedly replied that, after having examined the complaint of the Diocese and the explanations of the MBC, it believed that “there is no longer any live issue for the IBA to determine”. For the IBA, the matter was closed.

The Cardinal and the Diocese of Port-Louis are also contesting the decision of the IBA to reject their request for a review. 

According to Defi Media, the case was called on May 9, 2022 before the Chief Judge, Rehana Mungly-Gulbul and has been adjourned to May 30, 2022.

During the May 9, 2022 hearing, the IBA, represented by Me Rasmi Camiah, Deputy Chief State Attorney, reportedly opposed the application for judicial review. 

Cardinal Piat has retained the services of Richard Rault, José Moirt and Feroza Maudarbocus-Moolna, Senior Attorney.