Meet The Journalist Holding A Mirror Up To Society In Mauritius
A self-described “stubborn child,” Djemillah Mourade Peerbux found strength in her tightly knit family, but preferred to discover on her own.
“I was very curious,” Djemillah says, “and I loved to learn by myself.”
Djemillah, now a news editor for the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, is working to raise journalistic standards across the state.
“As a journalist, you have to be able to say: ‘I am not going to write this or report things in that way,'” Djemillah says. “Personal ethics will guide you throughout your career.”
“Journalism is about telling stories,” Djemillah says. “It’s holding a mirror up to society and giving meaning to what we see.”
“The media plays a very important role in Mauritius,” Djemillah adds. “It serves as a balance, a force holding those in power accountable.”
Djemillah divides her time between reporting and running a handful of NGOs, all rooted in a commitment to equality and communal development.
Among the organizations she founded is The Ripple ProjecThe Ripple Project.
“As a reporter, you are dealing with people’s lives and what you write can change theirs forever,” Djemillah says. “That’s why I am very careful when reporting on minors or on sexual assault.
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To this, Djemillah adds that it’s up to journalists to uphold their principles over their bottom line. She warns against media outlets cutting corners or pandering to audiences. Being a better journalist and media consumer, Djemillah explains, starts with an open mind.
“Everything in life carries a lesson,” Djemillah says. “You have to be open to being taught and to remember that you’re not too small to make a change.”
The views and opinions expressed here belong to those interviewed and do not necessarily reflect those of The Youth Cafe.