What we do
The Seychelles Media Commission is the media regulator in the Republic of Seychelles. The functions of the Commission are to:
- preserve the freedom of the media,
- improve and maintain high standards of journalism in Seychelles,
- require publishers of newspapers, radio and television broadcasters, news agencies and journalists to respect human dignity, freedom from discrimination on any grounds except as are necessary in a democratic society,
- maintain high standards of integrity and good taste.
- provide an independent arbitration medium between different types of media organisations and between members of the public and media organisations;
- promote the independence of the print and electronic media;
- formulate in consultation with the Seychelles Media association, a Code of Conduct
- monitor adherence to the Code of Conduct and require compliance by all concerned;
- monitor compliance by all media of constitutional and legal obligations in force in Seychelles in respect of media freedom and expression;
- monitor any development likely to restrict the dissemination of information, including expression of opinions on matters of public interest and importance, and assist in resolving them;
- defend the constitutional right of the citizens to accurate, truthful and timely information;
- assist journalists and broadcasters in developing and maintaining high standards of integrity in the collection and dissemination of news and information in and about Seychelles;
- assist and encourage the interaction between local media organisations and foreign media organisations, including training institutions, with the object of improving the standard of journalism in Seychelles;
- receive complaints from members of the public relating to any infringement of the individual‘s right to privacy by journalists or agents of media organisations and sanction journalists or media organisations according to law;
- promote a proper functional relationship among all classes of persons engaged in print and electronic media in Seychelles;
- promote the development of privately-owned print and broadcasting media;
- undertake such other activities within its mandate as may be assigned to the Commission by the Government including but not limited to;
- reviewing of existing legislation governing broadcasting and the print media and making recommendations to the Government with a view to bringing them in line with the Constitution and current trends as may be appropriate;
- reviewing and making recommendations to the Government on licence applications to open radio or television stations, or to publish newspapers and similar print publications;
- maintaining of a national database of media practitioners and institutions.