SECTOR 4 The media practise high levels of professional standards. 4.1 The media follow voluntary codes of professional standards, which are enforced by self-regulatory bodies that deal with complaints from the public. The Communications Act, provides for the establishment of a Broadcast Disputes Resolution Panel whose mandate is to develop a broadcast code of content and to deal with all disputes regarding broadcast content. The Minister will appoint the panel of four members from a list of nominations and recommendations provided by members of the public. The nominees have to be well qualified and independent to serve as members of the Panel. For over a decade, MISA has initiated attempts to set up a self regulating body for the media that is based on the Tanzanian model. However, this has failed because of differences between media practitioners on how regulatory body should be set up, how it should operate, and who should be involved in running it. Very few media houses in Lesotho have their own editorial policies and codes of conduct and there is no regulatory body for the print media. The lack of in-house policies means journalists operate in a professional and ethical vacuum. Editors use their authority and discretion to deal with different situations. They all handle situations differently. Many of them are not concerned with ethical abuses unless there is a risk of the story attracting a lawsuit. If a complaint is received by a media house, they tend to ignore it unless the person involved is prominent. One radio station owner is well known for calling presenters while they are on air and reprimanding them for misdemeanours. 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: 52 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2012 1.4 (2010 = 1.6; 2008 = 1.1; 2006 = 1.0)