Major changes are expected in the Independent Broadcasting Authrority (IBA), the regulating agency of radio and television. A “special committee” chaired by the Prime minister, Paul Bérenger, has been set up to review, among other things, the IBA Act. Moreover, the government is looking for somebody to replace IBA president, Ashok Radhakissoon.

His mandate expired last April and renewal is very unlikely because his stand on certain issues is contested. According to the law, it is the President of the Republic who nominates the IBA president after consultation with the prime minister and the opposition leader.

There is no unanimity on the issue so far although the prime minister, Paul Bérenger, voted for the current president to keep his position. Ashok Radhakissoon had discussed with the prime minister and the Information and Communication and Technology minister the possibility of remaining at the head of the authority.

However, the opposition leader, Navin Ramgoolam, has opposed the renewal of his contract because he considers that the IBA president is not “independent” enough. He also thinks that private radios have been too biased while members of the government consider that Ashok Radhakissoon has been too flexible in his treatment of free radio stations.

In any case, his replacement would be “provisional”, the prime minister pointed out, pending the report of the special committee reviewing the IBA Act. “I do not know what this amendment will contain. We are only starting to study the problem but it may change this nomination, which is thus provisional.”

The review of the IBA Act is a result of “long-standing discontent” on the part of the government. The prime minister has made several criticisms of private radio stations stating that they should be more responsible. The government considers that there have been a number of “faux-pas”, which should be dealt with. The most resounding one was probably the live debate on oriental languages, which led to personal attacks between the president of the Government Hindu Teachers Union, Sutthydeo Tengur, and the president of the Federation of the catholic schools’ parents and teachers associations, Clifford Maniacara. Such excesses were considered unacceptable.

Measures for more control

The government consequently asked the IBA to implement measures to control the radio stations. Among others, the government wanted such “delicate” debates to be recorded and broadcasted with an eight to twenty seconds’ delay. However, these measures have not yet been applied.

To justify the review of the law, the prime minister highlights that his government is the one that has done “the most for freedom of expression.” However, Paul Bérenger thinks that, after calling for everyone’s responsibility, it is now time to impose sanctions without undermining this fundamental right.

Of course, freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution. Of course, both the written and spoken press must show responsibility by divulging the right information and maintaining social cohesion. The fact that the prime minister criticises and even threatens the press may nevertheless be a threat to democracy…