NCA Debate: Shakeel Mohamed vs Raouf Gulbul Live on Mauritian TV

Two prominent figures in Mauritian public life are set to go head-to-head on national television this Friday in what promises to be a pointed political exchange. Opposition Member of Parliament Shakeel Mohamed and Raouf Gulbul, the chairperson of the National Communication Authority (NCA), will appear together on *Au Cœur de l'Info*, a prime-time current affairs debate programme broadcast on the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). **Who are the key figures?** Shakeel Mohamed is a senior politician and lawyer, currently serving as an opposition MP. He has been an outspoken critic of several regulatory bodies and government-linked institutions, and is known for his combative style in both parliament and the media. Raouf Gulbul serves as chairperson of the NCA — the National Communication Authority — which is the statutory body responsible for regulating broadcasting, telecommunications, and postal services in Mauritius. The NCA plays a central role in overseeing media licensing and ensuring compliance with broadcasting standards. **Why does this debate matter?** The NCA has been a recurring subject of political controversy in Mauritius, with critics questioning its independence and the way it exercises regulatory powers over broadcasters, including the state-owned MBC. Opposition voices have at times accused the authority of acting in ways that favour those in power, while the NCA maintains it operates within its legal mandate. A face-to-face debate between a vocal opposition MP and the head of the regulatory authority is relatively rare, and is likely to draw significant viewership — particularly given ongoing public discussion about media freedom and the role of regulatory institutions in Mauritius. **What is *Au Cœur de l'Info*?** *Au Cœur de l'Info* (meaning "At the Heart of the News") is one of the MBC's flagship current affairs programmes, featuring structured debates between public figures on political and social topics of national importance. It is broadcast in French and Mauritian Creole and reaches a wide local audience. **What this means** For viewers and observers of Mauritian politics, this Friday's broadcast offers a direct opportunity to hear the NCA's leadership respond publicly to scrutiny — and for the opposition to press its case on the record. How both figures handle the exchange could have implications for the ongoing debate over media regulation and institutional accountability in the country. Source: Le Defi Media