The debate over the role of the press in the Third World has largely ignored questions of public perception of media roles and performance. To investigate whether an audience perceives the fundamental difference between development journalism (where the state has significant involvement in news decisions) and a free press, and whether that difference matters to the audience, a study examined attitudes in Mauritius regarding that nation's media and its credibility. Subjects, 502 adult residents of Mauritius, were interviewed regarding four elements of media credibility (whether the news is fair and balanced, tells the truth, gets to the bottom of the community's problems, i.e., problem-solving, and reports accurately). Interviews also addressed media-government issues (whether journalists have a responsibility to report all the news, regardless of consequences; whether journalists should be licensed by the government to maintain high standards; and whether too much emphasis by journalists on conflicts and problems poses a threat to national development). Results included the finding that both television and newspaper journalism were rated quite favorably in terms of fairness/balance, believability, and accuracy. Results revealed a pattern of credibility and of different ratings for each news medium which suggest that this audience perceives the effects of government media control. Problem solving and accuracy in newspapers and television received comparable ratings in Mauritius. (Four tables of data and 28 notes are included.) (SR)