MAURITIUS: Govt to look at sanctions on private radio

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 11 Aug 2004 (IRIN) - A recent decision by the government of Mauritius to investigate the possibility of instituting sanctions against private radio stations has raised concern among media freedom groups.

The move resulted from government's unhappiness with private radio coverage of a recent explosion in the northern city of Grand-Baie.

Mitradev Peerthum, an advisor to Prime Minister Paul Berenger, told IRIN that several private radio stations broadcast "alarmist" reports saying the blast could have been an act of terror, but investigators concluded that it was nothing more sinister than a gas explosion.

"After the explosion in Grand-Baie everybody on radio was suddenly an expert, and there was alarm spread: people were saying it was a terrorist attack. There must be a sense of responsibility, you cannot spread alarm like this," said Peerthum.

At a cabinet meeting last week it was decided to set up a special committee, chaired by the prime minister, to examine a number of issues, including "sanctions against abuses by radio licence holders" and make recommendations in this regard.

The move has sparked concern, with the local media warning of an attempt to censure the press, while freedom of expression and media freedom groups have also expressed alarm.

Simon Kimani Ndung'u, head of the anti-censorship programme at the South Africa-based Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), told IRIN the Mauritian government should not "use excuses relating to security to hinder the media. We believe the right of the media to operate without restraint is a critical element for the fostering of any true democracy - it's a right owned by the public, not a right that can be given or taken away by the state".

Commonwealth Press Union researcher Kim Latimer said the latest move was odd, as press freedom in Mauritius "has been fairly good recently", but noted that elections were scheduled for next year and this could heighten conflict between the state and the media.

Peerthum rejected these concerns. "[Private radio] is very new ... Someone speaking on radio directly could say 'you see that minister, manager, or ambassador is a crook and has raped someone.' So we must find ways and means for the smooth running of the radio [stations] ... without curtailing the liberties of freedom [of expression/media]"

He added that there "is no sinister motive behind" setting up the committee. "We have nothing against these radio [stations], as we allowed them to exist. Whatever legislation we are going to bring, if [it is] unconstitutional, it can be challenged in the Supreme Court. We cannot be accused of being undemocratic or dictatorial in this regard ... [but] we have to protect the country and the Mauritian people," Peerthum explained.

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