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This paper bears on the evolution of the local media over the last thirty years in Reunion. In the early 70s, a period labelled in Reunion as the «Debré years» media were subject to censorship with state — controlled TV and radio stations along with the two major daily newspapers mirroring the two antagonistic claims of communists versus the advocates of the status quo, the whole political debate of the time focussing on the administrative status of the island.The advent of new media then brought about some type of media consciousness in society, as the latter was experiencing other major mutations. The first high school papers and magazines came out in the early 70s. A new «independent» paper was founded in 1976; in 1981 several independent local radio stations started on the air. In 1986, Télé Freedom broadcast without government authorization. In 1991, Antenne Réunion, a privately-owned TV station got government clearance to start broadcasting. Radio and TV scene in Reunion spread out and gained in pluralism. The advent of TV programmes packages in 1999 eventually progressively meets the audience’s claims for more and more diversity and pluralism. Along with this evolution of«supply and demand», local TV stations and papers turn to programmes and news closer to their audience’s daily concerns.