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IndiaPosted at: Mar 13 2025 7:20PM


Modi visit: Local journalists in Mauritius upset with Indian media getting preferential treatment

Port Louis/New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) Local media persons in Mauritius are peeved with the alleged preferential treatment given to Indian media persons in covering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day action-packed visit to Port Louis.
The local media persons found their movements curtailed right from the time of the arrival of PM Modi on March 11 early morning at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
“While local journalists scrupulously followed the instructions of the Police Press Office, the Indian media seemed to enjoy more freedom. Moving as they please, regardless of direction, they monopolized the best angles to capture exclusive images of Prime Minister Modi,” the le.express reported.
In the jostling by the Indian media, some Mauritian journalists were shaken aside by their Indian counterparts, eager to get the best catches. “Sir, please Sir, move Sir!”
Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam, his wife Veena Ramgoolam and top government functionaries were present at the airport to welcome PM Modi.
During the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the Botanical Garden of Pamplemousses, local journalists were delayed due to the new verification of accreditations being conducted by the Mobile Special Force (SMF), on the orders of the media manager at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The double verification, which occurred at the last minute, not only delayed some journalists in their coverage of the event but also gave the impression that the local press was constantly being put to the test as the foreign (Indian) press circulated more freely”, it writes.
The most frustrating episode for the Mauritian media was on March 12, at the Hotel Oberoi where PM Narendra Modi met opposition leader Joe Lesjongard in the morning.
While the journalists were officially invited to cover the meeting, many were refused entry, without explanation. Even the teams of the national radio station, the MBC, were blocked, at first.
“In the face of this situation, journalists of the Government Information Service (GIS) tried to find a solution. Thanks to their intervention, an official statement by Joe Lesjongard could be obtained outside the hotel, which allowed the local media to relay at least part of the exchanges between the leader of the opposition and the Indian Prime Minister,” it said.
The official National Day ceremony at the Champ-de-Mars also witnessed logistical problems.
“Several journalists, although they had their accreditations, had difficulty in accessing the site. The police on the spot, visibly ill-informed, struggled to indicate the right entry, leading to total confusion. Some reporters, lost in the middle of the crowd, did not know where to go to film the ceremony in the best conditions.”
“Overall, the management of the press during the visit of Narendra Modi left a bitter taste for Mauritian journalists. The limited access to events, the lack of organization and the preferential treatment given to the Indian media have caused frustration and misunderstanding,” it writes.
“As Mauritius celebrates its 57th anniversary of Independence, this differentiated treatment raises the question: why was the local press, although essential to inform the Mauritian population, relegated to the background during this official visit ?” the newspaper said.
PM Modi was on a two-day visit to Mauritius from March 11-12, to participate as Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations. He also held talks with PM Navin Ramgoolam, and was conferred Mauritius' highest civilian honour.
UNI RN
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