The media have a significant and tangible impact on society, so much so that one wonders if our small island has not become a willing puppet in the tormenting hands of this new supreme power. Bending itself to accommodate the overwhelming gust of media influence, Mauritian society lives according to this dynamic source of creativity.

Survival in this modern and fast-changing world depends on a marathon effort to keep up with events. One must admit that the audiovisual and written media have largely contributed to maintain that vital line of survival. With the development in modern technology, access to information is just a ?click? away.

If this open flow of information helps learners at all levels to compete for a higher standard of achievement, it has also marked the whole socio-economic development of the country. We can even afford to nudge a place in the global world. In a very futurist leap within the media world, the country has dared to dream the ambitious virtual world, the cybercity.

After achieving independence in 1968, we are today helplessly submitting to a new colonisation by the media. From our food culture to dress style, everything is adapting to new changes. Some have interestingly called this new adapted culture, far from more traditional settings, Mauritian culture!

New trends easily seep in our everyday life and become the norm. Impressive forms of music and films with special effects have imposed a status of their own. The multimedia world with its interactive and animated fascination keeps magnetizing new interests?

An important tool in the world of democracy, as the clichéd ?watchdog?, the media have nevertheless been constant victims of attempted control by powerful lobbies. With their inevitable margin of subjectivity, the media preserve an indispensable place in our life. If they offer people a creative platform of expression, they also have the power of information, manipulation and even propaganda to create the required general mood.

Just like on the international level, local media have brought their share of sensationalism, whether during social crises or electoral campaigns. Forceful and daring, they have shaken, time after time, the very foundations of so-called solid institutions. If the media have informed the public about activities at various levels, they have also enabled the onset of inquiries.

Today we talk of media culture. Subtle and persevering, this ?culture? has percolated our trend of thought and even our interpersonal relationships. Family life, communication patterns and even our sense of values flex to adapt to the novelty of this modern institution.

Moreover, the media have opened a large scope of employment and new fields of studies. A fully-fledged industry, they promote creativity as well as explore all avenues of communication to connect to the remotest lane of life.

The dynamism of the media has reached all nooks and crannies of our country with important subtlety. Their permanent status cannot be disregarded although we may reconsider the proper adaptation of this powerful social element in our life to achieve our set target.

Veena dabydoyal