The Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA) is set to hold its annual general assembly on October 4 at the Collège Bon et Perpétuel Secours in Beau-Bassin. The event is expected to be tense, with indications of a growing current of dissent among members. Joëlle Coret, who took over as president of MASA in November 2025, has called for dialogue and urged members to focus on constructive discussions.
The assembly will be the first under Coret's leadership, and it comes amid concerns over the institution's financial situation and governance. A list of MASA members was recently circulated without their consent, sparking a complaint and an investigation by the Data Protection Office. The board of MASA, which has a majority of government representatives, will present the financial report for 2025-2026 and respond to questions from full-fledged members.
Coret has emphasized the importance of a structured and objective discussion, warning that personal confrontations could hinder the progress of the institution. She has also highlighted the need for collective responsibility and respect for the institutional framework. Only full-fledged members who earn over Rs 50,000 in royalties are eligible to attend the assembly.
The MASA has engaged the services of Moore Mauritius, a cabinet of audit and experts, to conduct a forensic audit trail to determine the ownership of approximately Rs 95 million accumulated in the institution's account over the years. The audit is expected to be completed within four months, with findings to be announced by early 2027.
The Confédération internationale des sociétés de droits d'auteur (CISAC), which represents over six million creators worldwide, has expressed appreciation for the progress made by MASA. CISAC's representative, Samuel Sangwa, met with Mauritian Minister of Arts and Culture Mahen Gondeea on September 28, urging continued support for MASA to consolidate its reforms.
The MASA assembly is not a decision-making body; instead, it provides a platform for members to engage with the board and discuss key issues. Coret has stressed that the focus should be on building and moving forward, rather than dwelling on past disputes or reproaching the current board for decisions made by previous administrations.
As the assembly approaches, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. With tensions running high, the outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for the future of MASA and the management of authors' rights in Mauritius.
Key points
- The MASA annual general assembly will address financial and governance concerns amid internal conflicts and controversy.
- A forensic audit trail is underway to determine the ownership of approximately Rs 95 million accumulated in MASA's account.
- The Confédération internationale des sociétés de droits d'auteur has expressed support for MASA's progress and urged continued backing for the institution.
