Lesotho This ideological conflict along party lines was clearly evidenced during a programme run by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho in 2015. In preparation for the National Assembly elections of 2015, MISA Lesotho invited politicians to the programmes that were run under the Capacity Building On Broadcasters Peace Building and Conflict Reporting programme. Some politicians refused to attend programmes on certain radio stations alleging that these media houses supported their political opponents. Traditional media is considered a more trustworthy source of information. Radio stations like Ts’enolo FM, MoAfrika FM and Thahakhube FM mostly featured politicians from the Congress Party while People’s Choice FM, Harvest FM and Radio Spes Nostra enjoyed the vibrant participation of national ideology political parties. This has not changed over the last few years. With regard to the print media, the rivalry between two competing papers reached a peak when Newsday carried a story on the alleged closure of the Lesotho Times. On the other hand the Lesotho Times’ Scrutator - in his satirical column suggested that the Newsday proprietor should consider opening a carwash as his newspaper has indications of political polarisation. 42 So This is Democracy? 2016 The lack of cohesion amongst media practitioners on matters of national interest has been detrimental and explains why advocacy campaigns on media policy and legal issues are not receiving the government’s attention. In September last year the Minister of Communication, Science and Technology issued an indefinite moratorium on the issuing of broadcasting licenses. The rationale put forward for the moratorium, is that allowances need to be made for legal reform but these reforms have not been discussion let alone taken place. There is a strong belief amongst analysts that the moratorium is a political ploy to stop the licensing of more radio stations as it is a vibrant media platform which is extremely popular. Up until the moratorium, the Lesotho Communication Authority (LCA) issued twenty-four (24) broadcasting licences. There are currently 18 radio stations on air, of which: • 2 are state owned; Radio Lesotho and The Ultimate Radio, there are • 4 community stations: Mafeteng Community Radio, Thaba-Tseka Community Radio, T Mafeteng Community Radio and Botha-Buthe Community Radio, • 4 church-owned: Radio Spes Nostra, K.E.L Radio, Voice of God FM and Jesu ke Karabo FM and • 8 privately-owned: Harvest FM, MoAfrika FM, People’s Choice FM, Thahakube Fm, MXXL Radio,357 FM, Molisa ea Molemo FM and Ts’enolo FM. Radio Lesotho has nationwide coverage on FM and medium wave, followed by MoAfrika FM which covers almost 75 percent of Lesotho on FM and the rest of the radio stations cover the lowlands. Community Radio stations cover not more than a radius of 50KM. Print media comprises of 9 weekly newspapers but there is still no daily newspaper. Lesotho Today/Lentsoe La Basotho is state-owned, Moeletsi oa Basotho is church-owned and the rest are privately owned; Lesotho Times Newspaper, The Post, Newsday, Sunday Express, Public Eye, Informative and Mosotho. The circulation of most of these newspapers is confined to Maseru and lowland towns in Lesotho. Basotho have access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. Facebook is the most popular with most of the youth and working class community of Lesotho having either an account or a page, or both. Facebook also has vibrant groups who provide commentary and up-dates on varying political and developmental issues. WhatsApp is popular platform for mobile phone users either for one on one conversation as well as chat groups. Media Freedom The contestation between the government, army and police has often spilled over and has a detrimental effect on the media in the form of threats, criminal defamation and physical attacks. The editor of Lesotho Times Lloyd Mutungamiri was shot by unknown people at his home. His workmate Keiso Mohloboli is currently in exile in South Africa. Blogger and University lecturer Mafa Sejanamane was also shot at. To date there have been no arrests in any of the cases. In March 2016, over 300 members of the public calling themselves the Concerned Citizens of Lesotho, took to the streets “to rescue media freedom” in a protest they headlined as #HANDSOFFMEDIA. Five members of the group then presented a petition to the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Khotso Letsatsi and the Minister Kimetso Mathaba in the Prime Minister’s Office. Amongst a number of issues the petition requested the Government of Lesotho to observe Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the provision of Africa Charter on Human and People’s Rights and further stated that the Minister: • Follow proper legal channels and procedures in cases of misconduct. • Allow freedom of expression by refraining from acts of intimidation against media houses and journalists. • Allow access to opposition parties to Radio Lesotho and Lesotho Television by opposition parties • Ensure implementation of the communications policy. LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK Since the year 2000 MISA Lesotho has been advocating for the passage of the Access to Information Bill of 2000. There have also been discussions around the review and adop-tion of a media policy. Complaint against the media On the May 13, 2016, a local human rights organisation. Transformation Resource Centre (TRC), filed a complaint with the Broadcasting Dispute Resolution Panel (BDRP) against Ts’enolo FM radio and requested an intervention regarding the radio station’s programme called Lititimi which was aired on April 30, 2016. According to the TRC, Mr. Author Majara, a guest on the programme made statements that “were detrimental to the good image of the Centre”. TRC wanted Ts’enolo FM to provide them with a recording of the programme, - So This is Democracy? 2016 43