LESOTHO TRANSPARENCY ASSESSMENT REPORT INTRODUCTION In the aftermath of Joki’s death, in June 2023, a suspected fake Facebook account under the name Ramoriana Mphoto made death threats to radio presenters from People’s Choice Radio, Tšenolo FM, KEL Radio and ACL Radio, stating they were the next targets. The threats were chilling and sent shockwaves through the media industry as journalists wondered who would be next. Access to information from government and public institutions in Lesotho remains difficult for citizens. The use of online and digital platforms by citizens has grown over the years, but this has not been matched by government responsiveness to information dissemination. Such incidents foster a culture of self-censorship and are a threat to FOE and ATI. Most public institutions are still lagging in disseminating information to the public. A clear example is the lack of websites, which makes it difficult for the media to perform its watchdog role as well as inform the public. People in remote areas rarely have access to the internet and information on government programmes. Moreover, in a country where more than half of the population lives below the poverty line, few can afford digital gadgets and maintain them effectively to access information. Internet penetration is relatively low in Lesotho, with network coverage pegged at 52 per cent of the population. Access to the internet is concentrated in urban areas. In rural areas, access to the media and information literacy is low, leaving these communities at risk of misinformation, and limited FOE and ATI. RATIONALE AND RESEARCH PARAMETERS AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to analyse the accessibility of information from government and public institutions in Lesotho. Eight government and public institutions were selected for this study. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY Lesotho is a signatory of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 4 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa. y To determine which organisations (both government and public) provide information to citizens upon request, timeously and with relative ease. y To determine which organisations (both government and public) utilise online platforms to promote access to information. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY These instruments guarantee the fundamental human right to request and receive information from public institutions. Despite signing onto these regional instruments, Lesotho has yet to enact an ATI law. The research used qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to evaluate the level of public access to information held by government and public organisations. Each MISA Chapter conducted research by evaluating the websites of government and public organisations along with submitting written requests for information. This method seeks to establish the transparency and efficiency of government and public organisations in providing information to the public. Through bodies like the MISA Lesotho Chapter, the media fraternity has robustly opposed the laws that inhibit ATI. MISA Lesotho’s Position Paper was sent to the National Reforms Authority to advocate for media sector changes desired by its members and take a stand against laws that hamper FOE. Practising journalism in Lesotho can be dangerous, as evidenced by the shooting to death of Ralikonelo “Leqhashasha” Joki of Tšenolo FM, who was killed as he left his workplace in May 2023. Before the shooting, Joki had received threats to his life on Facebook. 23