Radio MBC Maurice 1

The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is the national public broadcasting service (Radio and TV) of the Republic of Mauritius and its outer islands including Rodrigues.

It was established as a body corporate on 8 June 1964 under the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation Ordinance no. 7 (1964). Prior to that date it operated as a Government Service under the name of Mauritius Broadcasting Service.

The original Ordinance establishing the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation was amended and consolidated by Acts of Parliament: Act no. 65 of 1970, Act no. 22 of 1982 and Act no. 65 of 1985. These amendments were necessary to accommodate interalia changes at both technological and social levels as well as to satisfy the aspirations of all segments of the Mauritian nation.

The objects of the MBC and the parameters within which these objects are to be achieved are spelt out at Section 4 of MBC Act no. 22 of 1982 which broadly are to ensure broadcasting services of information, education, culture and entertainment.

The MBC is administered and controlled by a Board of seven members. The execution of its policy and its day to day control and management rest with the Director General who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and who has under his direction an establishment of about 500 employees.

It is estimated that the number of Radio and TV sets (Mauritius and Rodrigues) as at 30 June 1999 was 450,000 and 265,000 respectively.

The MBC derives its income mainly from licence fees and advertising. A monthly licence fee is payable by all domestic electricity consumers (Act no. 56 of 1954) possessing a TV set – this accounts for 60% of its total income. Advertisement on Radio and TV contributes to about 35% of its income.

Radio and TV programmes cover a wide range of subjects and are broadcast in different languages including French, English, Hindustani, Creole, Chinese and a host of other Indian languages. Programmes are mostly purchased from foreign suppliers whilst a fair proportion is produced by the Corporation and another slot is relayed on the Corporation’s channels following bilateral agreements with broadcasting organisations concerned.

News bulletins including local and foreign items are broadcast daily at specific times.

The Corporation also ensures broadcast on both Radio and TV of educational programmes devised and produced by the Mauritius College of the Air.

Live Broadcast (Radio and TV) of local events are carried out on regular basis.

The MBC maintains close and cordial relations with a number of Broadcasting Associations. MBC is a member of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Asian Broadcasting Union (ABU), the South African Broadcasting Association (SABA) and of the Conseil International des Radios-Télévisions d’Expression Française (CIRTEF).