Jean-Luc Mootoosamy: “There is trust to be found between citizens and the press”

Hindered freedom, the weight of laws and the challenges of AI: Jean-Luc Mootoosamy, director of Media Expertise, examines Mauritian journalism in 2026. He is currently in the country as part of training that he will conduct at the Media Trust on media responsibility from May 6 to 8.

In 2026, as we celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, it is clear that in Mauritius, journalists are still faced with secrecy, confidentiality and even legislation in the exercise of their functions...I imagine that you are mainly referring to the Official Secrets Act of the early 1970s, which, moreover, still mentions the use of the telegram (!) and which is often used as an overcoat by civil servants or the power in place. But in Mauritius, we still have this chance to be able to do our job as journalists in a decent way, when I think of my colleagues on the African continent who risk their lives every day.

This law has been used for purposes of opacity in certain areas, while its main objective is to protect Mauritius from foreign hostile interventions. The media cope with this situation and, in fact, often for fear of consequences, secrecy has become an accepted constraint.

But when it comes to public funds, national territory, there is no secret. The public interest and the search for truth dominate over secrecy.

Do you think a journalist could circumvent the Official Secrets Act? Yes. I would cite the first duty of a journalist, according to the Munich Charter of 1971: “Respect the truth, whatever the consequences for oneself, and this, because of the right that the public has to know the truth”.

It is our duty to seek and respect the truth for the public. The associated risks are clear. The truth is like water. She always finds her way. The journalist is only a means, a channel to allow this truth to emerge.

The amendment to the IBA Act is one of the actions that reduced the feeling of freedom of Mauritians at the end of 2021”

There is also “No comment”, often used as a shield. In Mauritius, those who think they have power are sometimes satisfied with “No comment” or “poz ou kestion touzour, pena tax lor seye” or “who are you?” » to get out of it quickly... Everyone is free to say what they want, but “no comment” has meaning too.

For a journalist, being told “no statement” is also a statement. Either the interlocutor actually has no comments, or there was an order not to say anything. It is certainly not a “no comment” that should hold us back from going further, quite the contrary!

In general “no comment” means “if you have a problem with the sofa”.

We have been promised the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for decades... Isn't there a real risk that if