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Mauritian press online: newspapers and news sites of Mauritius
The Mauritius press rests on Port Louis dailies such as L'Express, Le Mauricien and Le Défi Quotidien, written mainly in French with some English pages, on private radio stations like Top FM and on the public MBC, nearly all free to read online.
A press born in the colonial era
Mauritius has one of the oldest press traditions in the Indian Ocean, inherited from the French and then British periods. Le Mauricien has appeared since 1908, while L'Express, founded in 1963, accompanied the country towards independence, achieved in 1968.
L'Express, Le Mauricien, Le Défi: three major groups
L'Express and Le Mauricien, with its weekly Week-End, are the historic Port Louis titles. The Le Défi Media group brings together Le Défi Quotidien, Radio Plus and defimedia, while Le Matinal offers a shorter edition, also published in English.
Why does French dominate Mauritian newspapers?
English is the language of Parliament and the civil service, but French remains the dominant language of the dailies. Mauritian Creole, Kreol Morisien, is heard mostly on the radio, and the MBC also broadcasts programmes in Hindi, Bhojpuri and other ancestral languages.
Rodrigues and the regions in the news
Rodrigues Island, which has had a Regional Assembly since 2002, has its own correspondents and an MBC station. The Port Louis dailies also cover Curepipe, Rose-Hill, Flacq and Grand-Baie through their regional and local crime sections.
Mauritian news websites and apps
Alongside the dailies' websites, ION News, Inside News and News Moris publish investigations, briefs and explainers. Defimedia and lexpress.mu offer videos and live streams that are widely shared on Facebook, the social network at the heart of Mauritian public life.
The GIS, an official source to consult
Mauritius has no large national news agency comparable to those of other African countries. The Government Information Service (GIS), attached to the Prime Minister's Office, publishes official statements, Cabinet decisions and speeches.
MBC, Top FM and private radio since 2002
The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) runs public television and radio. Liberalisation in 2002 allowed the creation of Radio One, Radio Plus and Top FM, which have become essential sources for political news and debates in Creole.
The Mauritian diaspora and its Indian Ocean neighbours
Mauritians living in France, the United Kingdom or Australia read the Port Louis press online. For regional news, see the Reunion Island press online and the newspapers of Madagascar, closely tied to Mauritius through trade.
Business Magazine, the budget and horse racing
Business Magazine and the business pages of L'Express follow the annual budget, the rupee, the offshore sector and tourism. Mauritian sport is covered in the football sections and above all in horse racing at the Champ de Mars, closely followed every weekend.
A pluralistic but concentrated landscape
The Mauritian print press is pluralistic and often critical of the government of the day. Debates regularly focus on the independence of the MBC, seen as close to those in power, and on how the IBA awards private radio licences.
Cross-checking news from Mauritius properly
Compare L'Express and Le Défi Quotidien, which have distinct editorial lines, then verify official announcements with the GIS. For the diaspora of Indian origin, the Indian press online also sheds light on relations between Port Louis and New Delhi.
Which Mauritian content is behind a paywall?
The websites of L'Express, Le Mauricien and Defimedia are largely free. L'Express and other groups offer digital editions or subscriber-only content paid in Mauritian rupees, while print newspapers are sold in corner shops known locally as tabagies.
Following Mauritian news from overseas
- Choose a historic daily such as L'Express or Le Mauricien, then Defimedia for the day's briefs and videos.
- Visit the GIS website for Cabinet decisions and official statements from Port Louis.
- Listen to Top FM, Radio Plus or Radio One online to hear political debates in Mauritian Creole.
- Watch the MBC television news to learn the public broadcaster's version of a national event.
- Compare coverage of the same issue by two different press groups, for example L'Express and Le Défi.
- Read Business Magazine or the business pages before and after the Mauritian budget is presented.
Reading the Mauritian press: access and subscriptions
| Media type | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Port Louis dailies' websites | Mostly free | Some articles reserved for subscribers |
| Digital editions (e-paper) | Paid subscription, variable rate | Paid in Mauritian rupees, indicative |
| Private radio (Top FM, Radio Plus, Radio One) | Free | Live audio and video streams online |
| MBC, public television | Free | News in French, English and Creole |
| GIS, official statements | Free | Government source, to cross-check with the press |
Useful pointers on Mauritian media
- Press languages: French, English, Mauritian Creole
- Official information: Government Information Service (GIS)
- Public broadcasting: Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)
- Historic dailies: Le Mauricien (1908) and L'Express (1963)
- Business title: Business Magazine
- Time zone: UTC+4, Port Louis time
- Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR)
Common pitfalls with Mauritian news
- Treating the MBC as a neutral outlet, when its independence from the government is the subject of recurring criticism in Mauritius.
- Confusing L'Express of Mauritius with L'Express de Madagascar or the French weekly of the same name when searching online.
- Sharing a rumour heard on a private radio phone-in programme as though it were verified information.
- Passing on an old article about a cyclone or a water cut in Mauritius without checking its publication date.
- Mistaking a Facebook page imitating Defimedia or ION News for the official account of the Mauritian outlet.
Questions about the newspapers of Mauritius
What is the oldest Mauritian daily still in print?
Le Mauricien, published since 1908, is the oldest major daily still active in Mauritius. It belongs to the same group as the weekly Week-End. L'Express, founded in 1963, is the other historic title of the French-language Port Louis press.
Why is the Mauritian press in French rather than English?
Although English is the official language of the administration, French has historically been the language of the press, of culture and of much of the elite. Most dailies publish in French, with a few articles and editions in English.
Where can you hear Mauritian news in Creole?
The private stations Top FM, Radio Plus and Radio One broadcast news and debates in Kreol Morisien, streamed live online. The MBC also offers bulletins in Creole, in addition to its programmes in French, English and oriental languages.
Is there a national news agency in Mauritius?
Mauritius has no large national news agency. Official statements go through the Government Information Service, attached to the Prime Minister's Office, and are then picked up by the dailies, the private radio stations and the MBC.
Mauritian dailies and news sites to read online
- L'ExpressMauritius's leading daily, founded in 1963, covering politics, the economy, society and crime news.
- Le MauricienHistoric Mauritian daily published since 1908, with news, investigations, opinion pieces and thematic supplements.
- Défi MediaPlatform of Le Défi Media Group (Le Défi Quotidien, Radio Plus), widely followed for round-the-clock Mauritian news.
- Le MatinalMauritian daily Le Matinal, here in its English edition devoted to local news, the economy and politics.
- ION NewsMauritian news site offering judicial, political, social and economic news, with investigations and explainers.
- Inside NewsMauritian digital outlet 'L'info qui compte', covering local news, politics and the island's economy.
- Top FMPrivate Mauritian radio station whose website publishes national, budget, court and crime news.
- News MorisEnglish-language Mauritian news site covering the economy, finance, security and local political life.