Alain Gordon-Gentil: "The MBC is undergoing a transformation"

Alain Gordon-Gentil, the General Director of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), reflects on his tenure ten months after his appointment. He notes improvements in the corporation's financial situation while acknowledging that much work remains. He announces several restructuring measures and emphasizes that the approach to information has fundamentally changed.

In an interview, he discusses the transformation since his appointment in December, pointing out that the television experience for Mauritians today is drastically different from that of the past decade. He states that the MBC has shifted from being a state propaganda tool to a respectable media outlet. While acknowledging that not everything is perfect, he believes they are heading in the right direction.

The recent audit report indicated a significant accumulated deficit. Gordon-Gentil describes the drastic recovery plan implemented, which includes expense rationalization and better management practices, leading to a stabilization of operations with the deficit reduced to approximately Rs 138 million.

He also highlights the challenges posed by the current workforce and the need for a thorough audit of human resources to align staffing with actual needs. Despite having more than 700 employees, many departments report understaffing, raising questions about past hiring practices.

To improve MBC's financial health, Gordon-Gentil emphasizes the need to reduce expenses and increase revenue, particularly through marketing and advertising. He notes a significant decline in advertising revenues due to increased competition from digital platforms and stresses the importance of providing value to advertisers.

When discussing the organization's payroll, he confirms that current salary expenditures are misaligned with revenues, with nearly 45% of total expenses going to salaries. This situation poses a challenge to MBC's ability to invest in modernization and content innovation.

Gordon-Gentil acknowledges that the MBC is currently overstaffed and is working towards a strategic restructuring to redefine roles and adapt to new digital demands. He expresses a commitment to producing local content, recognizing that the MBC cannot compete with international networks for foreign films but can excel in showcasing Mauritian productions. He announces plans to support local creators and ensure their work is featured prominently in MBC's offerings as part of a broader vision to strengthen the presence of Mauritian creativity in the media landscape.