The 2023 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, which assesses the conditions for the practice of journalism in 180 countries and territories, was published by Reporters Without Borders (RWB). Mauritius ranks 63rd (64th in 2022) in the World Press Freedom Index.
For Reporters Without Borders, “although Mauritius may be hailed as one of Africa’s model democracies, the media landscape is strongly polarised.”
According to the NGO, the situation in Mauritius is “problematic”.
The international non-governmental organisation pointed out that online attacks on journalists have increased in Mauritius.
Indeed, four Mauritian journalists were subjected to cyberbullying in November 2022. These include attacks presenting them as having links to drug traffickers – mainly on three Facebook accounts, broadcasting content generally favourable to the ruling party.
The four journalists had filed a complaint with the police, saying they feared for their safety. So far, no action has been taken against the administrators of these pages.
Reporters Without Borders denounced these attacks and called on the authorities to punish the culprits.
RWB also criticised the media regulator’s (IBA) lack of independence. “Its sanctions very often target pro-opposition media outlets, as in December 2020, when it banned a radio station from broadcasting for 72 hours after a unionist called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “racist” on the air.”
The NGO also questioned the island’s legal framework – which it claimed “does not protect journalists.”
“A very controversial media regulation law adopted in 2021 threatens the confidentiality of journalists’ sources, tightens restrictions on radio stations, and increases penalties for journalists. Since 2018, under amendments to the Information and Communication Technologies Act, posting content that could cause “inconvenience, distress or anxiety” is punishable by imprisonment. Certain laws left over from the colonial period, such as the Official Secrets Act, are still in force, and government officials can be jailed for providing sensitive information to journalists.”
Source: Reporters Without Borders
