The media policy advocates for the repeal and review several pieces of legislation that unduly restrict the operations of the press. It has been lauded by media organisations in Lesotho as representing a major step forward for the media as it seeks to regulate the broadcasting, print and publishing industries in the country and provide written guidelines to the industry. Some of the laws that are cited in the policy include the Obscene Publications Proclamation (1912), the Sedition Proclamation (1938), the Official Secrets Act (1967), the Printing and Publications Act of 1967 and the Internal Security Act of 1984. The policy became MISA’s flag-post against which politicians bounced their manifestos before the May 26 2012 elections. There is a lack of in-house editorial policies meaning that journalists operate in a professional and ethical vacuum. Editors make ad hoc decisions which often also mean they have a lot of room to abuse their power. There is also gross interference from the state in many ways. The Communications Act (2012) is silent on the editorial independence of the state broadcaster. Nor does the broadcaster have a charter or editorial policy that addresses editorial independence. The state takes positions according to who is in power because the sitting government is able to use the state media to serve its own agenda. This is often felt around election period. The lack of editorial policies in newsrooms has affected the question of gender balance in the media. A quick survey of sources quoted in newspapers or even radio and television shows a preference given to men as they seem to be regarded as the voices of authority. Not a lot of resources have been directed towards training journalists and redressing gender imbalances both within newsrooms and also in content. More often than not, the efforts that are being made are not supported by existing cultural and social structures. Furthermore, the representation of diverse sexualities is almost non-existent. For instance, there is a lot of resistance towards discussion and representation of homosexuality. Stories affecting women and homosexuals are rarely privileged in the media. In much the same way, minority ethnicities and religions are not given much coverage. One of the key missing links to quality journalism in Lesotho is the lack of training. There exist a few institutions that attempt to address this problem. The Institute of Extra Mural Studies (IEMS) of the National University of Lesotho – Mass Communications gives special consideration to people working with the media even if they do not meet the entry requirements. It offers a Diploma in Mass Communication and a degree in Journalism in Media. Limkokwing University of Creative Technology offers studies in media, journalism and advertising, even if the training is not of high quality. 10 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2012