22 March 2012 Last updated at 07:13 ET

Mauritius profile

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media
• Timeline

The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and of the press. State-owned Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radio and TV generally reflect government thinking. MBC is funded by advertising and a TV licence fee.

Daily newspapers and weeklies offer balanced coverage in several languages. They are often critical of both the government and the opposition parties. Two media groups - Le Mauricien Ltd and La Sentinelle Ltd - dominate the press scene.

Television is the most-popular medium. Multichannel TV is available in Port Louis.

BBC World Service is available via a mediumwave (AM) relay (1575 kHz). Radio France Internationale is relayed on FM.

There were nearly 324,000 internet users by December 2011 (Internetworldstats.com).

Press

• L'Express - daily
• Le Mauricien - daily
• Le Matinal - daily
• The Independent - English-language

Television

• MBC - state-run, operates three main channels and digital networks

Radio

• MBC - state-run, broadcasting in English, French, Indian languages and Chinese; networks include RM1, RM2, Kool FM, Taal FM, World Hit FM
• Top FM - private, Bollywood music and Western pop
• Radio One - first private radio station
• Radio Plus - private