About Us

EDITORIAL POLICY AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION STATEMENT

The Seychelles Times

CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION AND LEGAL AUTHORITY

The Seychelles Times operates as a constitutionally protected independent media platform under the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles (1993). Our activities are explicitly protected under multiple constitutional provisions and established legal principles that form the bedrock of democratic expression in Seychelles.

PRIMARY CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION

Article 22 – Freedom of Expression
Our operations are primarily protected under Article 22 of the Constitution, which guarantees:

  • “Every person has a right to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”
  • This constitutional right extends to all forms of media, including digital platforms and online publishing
  • The right encompasses both the creation and dissemination of content, opinions, and entertainment

Article 168 – Freedom of Press and Media
Additionally protected under Article 168, which specifically states:

  • “The press and other media shall be free”
  • This provision explicitly protects independent media operations from government interference
  • Digital media platforms are encompassed within “other media” as recognized by constitutional interpretation

Article 21 – Freedom of Thought and Conscience
Our editorial independence is further protected under Article 21:

  • Guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and belief
  • Protects our right to form and express independent opinions
  • Shields our editorial decision-making from external interference

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR NON-COMMERCIAL MEDIA

No Licensing Requirement
Under Seychelles law, non-commercial media operations do not require:

  • Media licensing or registration with broadcasting authorities
  • Business registration when operating as volunteer, non-profit entity
  • Government approval or permission to publish online content
  • Compliance with commercial media regulations

Volunteer Operations Protected
Our volunteer-based structure is specifically protected under:

  • Freedom of Association principles in the Constitution
  • Freedom of Expression extending to collective media activities
  • Established legal precedent that voluntary associations have full expression rights

ESTABLISHED LEGAL PRINCIPLES

Prior Restraint Prohibition
Seychelles legal system, following Commonwealth legal traditions, prohibits:

  • Government censorship before publication
  • Requiring pre-approval of content
  • Licensing systems designed to control editorial content
  • Arbitrary restrictions on media operations

Democratic Necessity Standard
Any restrictions on media freedom must meet the constitutional test under Article 46:

  • Must be “prescribed by law”
  • Must be “necessary in a democratic society”
  • Must be proportionate to legitimate aims
  • Cannot be used to suppress legitimate criticism or opinion

EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE AND STANDARDS

OUR CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE

The Seychelles Times operates under the constitutional principle that a free press is essential to democracy. We exercise our constitutional rights to:

✓ Publish Independent Content – Protected under Article 22’s guarantee of freedom to “impart ideas and information”

✓ Express Opinions Freely – Constitutional right to “hold opinions” without government interference

✓ Operate Without Prior Restraint – Article 168’s protection of press freedom prohibits pre-publication censorship

✓ Maintain Editorial Independence – Freedom from government, political, or commercial influence in content decisions

✓ Serve Public Interest – Fulfilling the constitutional role of media in democratic society

JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS AND ETHICS

While exercising our constitutional rights, we maintain professional standards:

Content Standards:

  • We distinguish between factual reporting and opinion content
  • We clearly label opinion pieces and editorial commentary
  • We respect privacy rights and avoid unnecessary intrusion
  • We avoid content that violates criminal laws (defamation, hate speech, incitement)

Editorial Independence:

  • No external parties control or influence our editorial decisions
  • We maintain independence from political, government, and commercial interests
  • Our volunteer structure ensures freedom from financial pressure
  • Editorial decisions rest solely with our editorial team

Transparency:

  • We identify our editorial team and contributors
  • We disclose our non-commercial, volunteer status
  • We distinguish between our content and syndicated material
  • We maintain clear ownership attribution for third-party content

LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

CONSTITUTIONAL IMMUNITIES

Protected Activities:

  • Publishing news, opinions, and entertainment content
  • Criticizing government policies and public officials within legal bounds
  • Operating as independent media without registration or licensing
  • Maintaining editorial independence and content control
  • Engaging in investigative journalism and public interest reporting

Protection from Interference:

  • Government cannot shut down our operations without due process
  • No prior restraint or pre-publication censorship permitted
  • Editorial content decisions cannot be dictated by authorities
  • Volunteer operations protected from commercial regulation

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Criminal Law Compliance:
We operate within established legal boundaries:

  • Defamation: We avoid false statements that damage reputation
  • Sedition: We do not incite violence or unlawful action
  • Privacy: We respect individual privacy rights under law
  • Copyright: We respect intellectual property rights

Constitutional Limitations:
Our rights are subject only to restrictions that are:

  • Prescribed by specific law
  • Necessary in a democratic society
  • Proportionate and non-discriminatory
  • Applied through due process of law

OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK

NON-COMMERCIAL STATUS

The Seychelles Times operates as:

  • Volunteer Organization: All work performed without compensation
  • Non-Profit Entity: No revenue generation or advertising sales
  • Self-Funded Operation: Funded through personal contributions of volunteers
  • Independent Media: Free from commercial, political, or government influence

This status provides additional constitutional protection as:

  • Non-commercial speech receives highest level of constitutional protection
  • Volunteer associations have enhanced freedom of expression rights
  • Self-funded media cannot be controlled through financial pressure
  • Independent status strengthens democratic media function

CONTENT CLASSIFICATION

We Operate As:

  • Opinion and Commentary Platform: Protected political and social commentary
  • Entertainment Media: Cultural and entertainment content
  • Independent Analysis: Original perspective and analysis
  • Public Forum: Platform for diverse viewpoints and discussion

We Do Not Operate As:

  • Commercial news agency requiring licensing
  • Registered business entity subject to commercial regulation
  • Professional journalism service bound by industry-specific rules
  • Government-regulated broadcasting service

CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE PROTOCOLS

DEFENDING PRESS FREEDOM

Should any authority attempt to restrict our constitutional rights, we are prepared to:

  1. Invoke Constitutional Protection: Assert rights under Articles 22 and 168
  2. Seek Judicial Review: Challenge restrictions in Supreme Court
  3. Demand Due Process: Require proper legal procedures for any action
  4. Assert Democratic Necessity: Challenge restrictions that fail constitutional test

LEGAL STANDING

Our constitutional protections are:

  • Fundamental Rights: Cannot be arbitrarily restricted
  • Judicially Enforceable: Courts must protect constitutional freedoms
  • Democratic Essential: Press freedom recognized as cornerstone of democracy
  • Internationally Recognized: Consistent with international human rights standards

CONCLUSION

The Seychelles Times operates under the full protection of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles. Our activities as an independent, volunteer-based, non-commercial media platform are explicitly protected under Articles 22 and 168 of the Constitution. We require no licensing, registration, or government permission to exercise these fundamental democratic rights.

We commit to responsible exercise of our constitutional freedoms while maintaining complete editorial independence and serving the public interest through independent media coverage, opinion, and entertainment.

Constitutional Authority:

  • Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles (1993), Articles 21, 22, 46, and 168
  • Established principles of Commonwealth constitutional law
  • Democratic media freedom precedents
  • International human rights standards on freedom of expression

Last Updated: 12.04.2026

Contact: For legal inquiries regarding our constitutional rights and operations, contact our editorial team through official channels.

Mission Statement

The Seychelles Times is one of Seychelles fastest-growing independent online entertainment media and counter-cultural outlets for opinions, and entertainment.

It’s primary objective is to be a truly independent and unbias source of opinions, and entertainment. Without pushing any narratives.

The Seychelles Times is focused on being the middle-ground of the content, opinions, and entertainment landscape, one that can be independent of political, government and corporate influence.

With complete self-funding the small team launched The Seychelles Times in December on 2020 to an incredible reception by the public, with almost instant and exponential growth The Seychelles Times amassed a social media following of over 11 thousand individuals within the first week alone on it’s Facebook Page and almost 10 thousand Followers on it’s Instagram page in the days and weeks that followed it’s launch.

As of today it is not uncommon for an article to receive 10 to 20 thousand readers from all over the globe and hundreds of shares across a multitude of platforms as the interface The Seychelles Times provides is a modern and intuitive one, which makes it attractive to the young an curious as well as seamless to the seasoned daily reader.

No one is without bias nor do we claim to be without bias. We’re opinionated, we’re noisy, and we’re having a good time.

This does not mean we should be underestimated. We are the new kid on the block, we’re hungry and willing to work harder and go further than our counterparts.

We know we’re the underdogs and we are proud of it.

Leadership

Lead Content Creator-In-Chef – K.Lesperance

Editor Emeritus – K.Morel

Director of Social Media – D.Moncherry

Ownership

The Seychelles Times is a self-funded, volunteer non-profit team with no registered corporate structure.

Founder: Mr. Salim Christoph Wayne MATHIEU

All Media/Photos and content remain the property of the original owner.

Seychelles Times is not a News Publisher or News Agent.

All opinions expressed are our own. We do not claim any factual or objective statements.

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED UNDER ARTICLE 21, 22, 46, and 168 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES

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