SECTOR 1 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.4 (2010 = 2.9; 2008 = 2.0; 2006 = 3.6) 1.12 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups. There is very little discussion around media legislation and this is evident from the fact that very few people knew about the enactment of the Communications Act 2012. “I wasn’t aware of the Communications Act, until I went looking for it...and I’m a lawyer.” “I was actually shocked when l got to the government printers two months ago and I found out that there is this act – the Communications Act. I was shocked that we have such a thing, because we hadn’t had consultations in the build up to this and l was really shocked. l had to go through the act to ensure that l had an understanding of it.” The media was also criticised for not playing its role in raising awareness or providing analysis of newly drafted legislation. It was alleged that the media neither carries articles nor discusses the impact of media legislation on the public. However, it was agreed that there was robust discussion around the Land Bill of 2010 amongst stakeholders, civic societies and the general public that could be attributed to the considerable funding made available by the government for consultations. In addition to this, the portfolio committee responsible bowed to pressure from the opposition and initiated a consultative process. 24 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2012