Why did the federal government shut down social media?
The social media ban was undoubtedly directly related to this leaked audio clips. These delivered to light alleged conversations between quite a lot of key figures, including the Prime Minister, the Police Commissioner, ministers and members of the judiciary. Some of those conversations touched on sensitive topics akin to police brutality and institutional interference.
The principal justification for the social media ban was due to this fact national security – as stated within the Prime Minister's discussions intercepted on his private and secure line and were shared on social media.
The Prime Minister initially dismissed the leaks as being manipulated by artificial intelligence. But reporting on the leaks became increasingly necessary and the social media ban was subsequently imposed. It was lifted inside 24 hours of an enormous accident Game each locally and internationally.
Has there ever been a social media ban?
It is the primary time that social media has been banned in Mauritius. However, there have been more general concerns about digital freedoms.
The latest Ibrahim Index of African Governance – a tool that measures and monitors governance in African countries – showed that digital freedom in Mauritius has fallen by 21.7% during the last decade. It's now ranked 25 (out of 54) in Africa, although Mauritius has one National strategic plan transform the country right into a digitally advanced, inclusive society by 2030.
There has also been a tightening of laws regarding Cybersecurity and cybercrime Mauritius has a law that criminalizes any crime committed by social media users.
The crackdown on social media is a cause for concern in a rustic where social media is amazingly popular. The majority of Mauritians get their news through social media and 85% of the Mauritian population are Facebook users.
What is the status of media freedom in Mauritius?
The social media ban have to be seen as a part of a general erosion of democratic rights and freedoms in Mauritius.
This trend has been occurring over the past 10 years, but has accelerated since 2019 with the introduction of quite a lot of data monitoring and control projects.
The Mauritius protected city For example, the project is rolling out 4,000 cameras (with facial recognition functionality) across the island. The project has been touted as an idea to enhance safety and is a cause for concern. Citizens fear that this can violate their political rights and civil liberties.
In 2021, the Information and Communications Technologies Authority wanted to alter the law to make sure greater regulation of social media. The proposal had many local and international points thrust back because it was seen as a way of controlling data on social media platforms.
In 2023, this became mandatory for residents Re-register SIM cards or have it deactivated. There were concerns about possible intrusion into citizen data. A case has been filed with the Supreme Court of Mauritius and the matter remains to be pending.
Aside from concerns over data surveillance, there has also been a restriction on freedom of expression in Mauritius.
After writing online posts, quite a lot of journalists and atypical residents were harassed and a few were even arrested under the offenses subsection of the Information and Communication Technologies Act (2001). They were targeted because their posts were considered critical of the present regime. The ICT Act has greatly reduced the digital space.
The media has been further targeted by laws that impose heavy fines on media outlets and journalists, require journalists to reveal their sources, and require media outlets to reapply for his or her license yearly as a substitute of each three years.
The increased level of scrutiny and scrutiny lately has had a chilling effect Self-censorship amongst certain journalists.
Some journalists were harassed or sometimes excluded from press conferences the ruling party.
This erosion of freedoms is reflected in various democratic rankings. In the last decade, Mauritius has lost its status of liberal democracy to an electoral autocracy – a rustic through which the federal government tightly controls political power. In the newest Ibrahim Index of African Governance, the island was ranked as “increasing deterioration“about democracy.
What does this say concerning the current state of politics within the country?
Under the present government, which got here to power in 2019 after an election marred by irregularities, some key institutions have been taken over. This includes parliament and the police. The executive branch in Mauritius appears intent on consolidating its power and control.
The manager now has the upper hand in decision making and minimizes checks and balances. There were also several attempts at this rein in The powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions are restricted by undermining the independence and autonomy of this authority.
The island's democratic backsliding is a matter of great concern. Mauritius is currently being hit by a triple blow – one aging populationA population decline and significant Brain drain. As the country faces these challenges, the federal government must remain accountable to the people.
image credit : theconversation.com