Joanna Bérenger Calls Mauritius's New NCA a 'Monster' Run by the PM

Opposition politician Joanna Bérenger has launched a sharp attack on the government's proposed National Communications Authority (NCA), describing the new regulatory body as a "monster that will ultimately be controlled by the Prime Minister." Bérenger, a Member of the National Assembly representing the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), made the remarks in response to legislation establishing the NCA — a body set to oversee communications and broadcasting regulation in Mauritius. **What is the NCA?** The National Communications Authority is a proposed regulatory institution that would consolidate oversight of the communications sector in Mauritius, covering broadcasting, telecommunications, and related media. It is intended to replace or absorb functions previously handled by separate bodies. However, critics like Bérenger argue that the way the NCA is structured — including how its leadership is appointed — gives the Prime Minister's office disproportionate influence over what should be an independent regulator. **Why is this controversial?** The core concern raised by the opposition is one of democratic accountability: if the head of a powerful communications regulator is effectively chosen by, or answerable to, the Prime Minister, the body's independence is compromised. A regulator that controls broadcasting licences and media oversight could, in theory, be used to favour certain outlets or suppress critical coverage. This concern is particularly sensitive in Mauritius, where the concentration of political and media power has been a recurring debate across administrations. Bérenger's use of the word "monster" suggests she views the NCA not as a neutral regulator, but as an institution with sweeping powers that lacks adequate checks and balances — and that those powers could be wielded politically. **What this means** For journalists, broadcasters, and telecommunications operators in Mauritius, the NCA will be a significant institutional player. If the opposition's concerns are well-founded, the body could have a chilling effect on press freedom and media pluralism. For ordinary Mauritians, the stakes are less immediate but still real: who regulates the airwaves and digital communications infrastructure matters for access to diverse, independent information. The debate over the NCA reflects a broader tension in Mauritian governance — between the executive's desire for coordinated policy implementation and civil society's demand for genuinely independent oversight institutions. The MMM and other opposition groups are expected to continue pressing for amendments to the NCA legislation to introduce stronger safeguards on appointments and limit direct executive influence over the body. Source: Le Défi Media