Some people say we aren’t neutral. And they’re right – we’re not. Since 1963, l’express has taken a clear stance in favor of our country’s comprehensive and integrated development, democracy, equity, Mauritian identity, biodiversity, the environment, ecology, and the decriminalization of cannabis, among other things. We also fight against the lack of transparency in political financing, the absence of a Freedom of Information Act, the monopolization of a highly politicized MBC, corruption, and its byproduct – the trafficking of hard and synthetic drugs. We’re guided by principles we commit to daily, including the freedom of the press, freedom of expression, the right to inform, and the ability to freely share one’s opinion.

Press Freedom and Responsibility: For us, press freedom must be accompanied, as much as possible, by journalistic responsibility. We have a duty to public opinion. That’s why we believe the press should not prioritize information over opinion. A journalist should be a leader, not a follower or merely an echo chamber. There are often times when a journalist must swim against the current, firmly based on conviction. Journalistic responsibility also lies in the care taken to filter information critically. It’s easy to be deceived, especially by those who practice misinformation. If you’re not skilled in these practices, you can lose not only your credibility but also your voice. We don’t claim to be infallible and will make amends when necessary.

Critical Thinking: A journalist’s critical sense must be applied to both their information sources and themselves. Journalists, like everyone else, are subjective in almost all aspects of their lives and actions. But journalism is different, like any role where responsibility is paramount. Journalists must distinguish between their own subjectivity and what might be an objective truth. This exercise is crucial because it is existential.

Advertising Boycotts: Beyond the taxpayer money diverted to protect narrow political interests, successive governments, since Independence, have consistently found interventionist ways to turn information – a public good – into perpetual propaganda. While these governments favor regulating others, they have shown little initiative when it comes to the public sector.

Political Pressures: Politicians need to appeal to the public (especially when elections are on the horizon) and need favorable press coverage. They need journalists who are in touch with them. If the political class prioritizes what’s going to happen in five years, we firmly believe that a country’s emergence takes at least 100 times five years. But priorities can shift depending on the moment, like the suggestion of remaining a colony, even if under a different name.

Economic Focus: In our archives, there’s an entire phase where our newspaper campaigned under the slogan «Economy First!» The economy was emphasized because it removed from our collective consciousness all the rivalries stirred up by the emotional, rather than rational, pre-Independence campaigns. We all agree that today drugs have become a national issue that concerns us all because they infiltrate every sphere of society. It’s time to team up.