Newspapers in Mauritius
The spread of daily newspapers in Mauritius is relatively high in the Third World (71 newspapers per 1000 residents, 2000). There are nine daily newspapers. The largest are the French-speaking L’Express (about 35,000 copies) and Le Mauricien (about 35,000 copies), which also contains text in English. Two newspapers are in Chinese.
The independent company Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), founded in 1964, broadcasts radio in three channels and TV in four. MBC’s broadcast monopoly ceased in 1997. some pay-TV channels have been established. Radio and TV density is high for the area, with 379 radio and 268 TV receivers per 1,000 residents (2000).
Culture
According to ALLUNITCONVERTERS, the culture in Mauritius is characterized by the different peoples from Africa, India, China, France and the rest of Europe who have settled on the islands.
When it comes to traditional music, the style of music, which blends African music with polka, has had a strong impact in all folk groups. In its modern form, it has also taken the impression of music styles such as soukous, zouk and reggae. A variant of victory, maloya, is found on the smaller island of Rodrigues.
The literature is usually written in French. Top writers include Malcolm de Chazal, Edouard Joseph Marc Maunick, Raymond Chasle and Khal Torabully. However, the leading playwright Dev Virahsawmy writes on the morisy.
In Port Louis there is a theater that was founded as early as 1822 and is today used mainly by various amateur theater groups. A more lively scene is in Rose Hill.
Mass Media
Mauritanian press has 200 years of history and is considered to be both versatile and outspoken. Freedom of the press and expression is guaranteed in the Constitution. However, it has appeared that police officers have threatened media workers and that politicians and government officials have used laws of defamation against journalists who have written disgraceful things to them.
There are about ten newspapers in Mauritius and newspaper reading is relatively widespread. The largest daily newspapers are the independent, French-speaking L’Express, Le Mauricien and Le Quotidien. All three also publish materials in English. A few Chinese newspapers are also published in the country. In addition, a large number of weekly newspapers and magazines are published.
The state television and radio company Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) was founded in 1964 and broadcasts in several languages in a number of channels. The MBC is supposed to be independent of the state powers but is sometimes accused by media experts and oppositionists for being government friendly. Domestic privately owned TVs do not exist, but foreign channels can be viewed via cable. Since the state gave up its radio monopoly in 2002, several privately owned radio stations have been started.
In 2013, the number of Internet users was 39 per 100 residents.
FACTS – MASS MEDIA
Percentage of the population using the internet
59 percent (2018)
Number of mobile subscriptions per 100 residents
151 (2018)
2015
June
New Free Trade Agreement for Africa
Mauritius and 25 other countries agree on a new free trade agreement, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which covers most of Africa between Egypt in the north and South Africa in the south. However, before the agreement can come into force, negotiations are required and the agreement is approved by the parliaments of the countries.
New President assumes office
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a prominent scientist in biology, is taking over as new president. She is the government candidate, but is also supported by the opposition and has a unanimous parliament behind her. Gurib-Fakim becomes Mauritius first woman in the presidential post. At the same time, the country also gets its first female president, Maya Hanoomanjee.
May
President Change
President Rajkeswur Purryag resigns.
July
Pravind Jugnauth is dropped for corporate business
July 2
Pravind Jugnauth resigns as Minister of Technology, due to a conflict of interest. In 2010, it was Jugnauth who in 2010 signed the decision that the state would acquire the private company MedPoint owned by his brother-in-law. Pravind Jugnauth denies that he has made any mistakes. He is sentenced to 12 months in prison (which can be exchanged for community service), and remains the leader of the MSM.
