Section 4: Objects of Authority

4. Objects of Authority The Authority shall— (a) promote the provision of a diverse range of radio and television broadcasting services throughout Mauritius; (b) promote the development of broadcasting services which are responsive to the needs of the Mauritian audience; (c) preserve and promote the pluralist nature of Mauritian culture by ensuring that licensees include, in their services, programmes reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of Mauritius; (d) ensure that licensees include, in their services, regular locally produced programmes; (e) ensure that broadcasting services are not controlled by foreign nationals; (f) impose limitations on cross media control of private broadcasting services; (g) ensure fair competition between broadcasting licensees; (h) set acceptable standards for programmes and advertising and monitor compliance with those standards; (i) ensure that broadcasting services— (i) are of such a nature as not to encourage or incite crime or racial hatred leading to disorder or offending public feeling; (ii) give adequate coverage to information, education, culture, entertainment and recreation; and (iii) are impartial and accurate; (j) be the sole authority empowered to issue licences for broadcasting; (k) levy fees in respect of licences issued; (l) inquire into public complaints against a licensee and take any action it may determine; (m) promote, together with the ICT Authority, the most efficient use of the broadcasting frequency bands; and (n) monitor, after consultation with the ICT Authority, the availability of segments of broadcasting frequency bands and make recommendations for the allocation of frequencies to licensees of broadcasting services. [Issue 7] I6 – 4 Revised Laws of Mauritius