SECTOR 1

However, in terms of entry into the journalistic profession, there are no restrictions,
and anyone may practice.
“It’s a free for all!”

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:

2.4 (2012 = n/a; 2010 = n/a; 2008 = n/a;
2006 = n/a)

1.4 The government makes every effort to honour
regional and international instruments on freedom of
expression and freedom of the media.
“Lesotho is good at signing, but ratification is a problem.”
Lesotho has signed a number of regional and international instruments on
freedom of expression and freedom of the media, but the domestication of these
instruments is problematic.
“You find that these high-powered delegations to go out of the country, have
a cup of coffee, sign, and come back. But what they sign is not domesticated.
There are very few cases where international instruments are used in tandem with
local law.”
“The public is told about them going, but they can’t even explain what they have
signed when they return.”
Both the SADC Protocol on Information, Sports and Culture, and the African
Union Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression have been signed by
Lesotho, but neither instrument has been fully domesticated.
One panellist noted that in Lesotho, when an international law is ratified, a
domestic law must be created in order for it to take effect locally; unlike in most

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2015

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