SECTOR 1 Shortly before the February 28th elections, three callers on a radio programme were arrested for calling in to a programme, being in opposition, and discrediting the former Prime Minister. “They used their real names, and they were arrested.” With the advent of social media, there is a sense that citizens are increasingly enjoying and practicing their freedom of expression. However, even on this platform, they do so anonymously or use a pseudonym particularly around certain electoral cycles, which are “an emotional affair”. “The fact that you need to hide your identity means that you are not as free as you should be.” Despite this fear, however, there are some outspoken commentators on social media – Makhaola Qalo and Motlatsi Mapetla, for example – who have been posting damning information and pictures on Facebook and other social media sites; and in the process, making themselves “the greatest enemies of government.” Panellists observed that although Qalo’s information is sometimes questionable: “He is very powerful. If you see government having a direct response to things on social media, it shows that you’re having a direct impact.” An example of information that made its way to Facebook with a great level of detail – even more than the coverage in mainstream media – was that regarding the arrests, or so-called abductions of certain individuals by members of the Lesotho Defence Force. It was noted that “some of these abductions are a direct result of social media happenings. They suspect that they are the ones leaking information onto social media.” The army has called on the public to help identify those responsible for leaking information, and there have already been cases in which civilians suspected of having information have been arrested, or asked to open their phones for information. “The abductions are scary for civilians. People are abducted, arrested, brought before the High Court with shackles on their hands and feet with heavily armed soldiers with covered faces escorting them.” Journalists also work in fear. A panellist noted that members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) told a photo journalist who attempted to take photographs of the scene described above that “if you take pictures, we will shoot you and you’ll be dead.” “The army has strong influence and has been very intimidating. You go there as a journalist and think you’ll get a story, but with those kinds of threats, you become scared and lose focus.” 14 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2015