SECTOR 1 other countries in the region where the international law ratified automatically becomes part of the country’s laws. A motion was put before Parliament that prior to Government signing, “the legislature should be informed so as to domesticate the international instrument, so that when the country reports – e.g. on labour issues to ILO – domestication has taken place. But this motion was kicked out on the argument that the executive branch is part of parliament and should already know.” Additionally, although civil society is often involved at the beginning of the process in creating or driving certain protocols, when the time comes to sign these protocols, government comes in and signs, but leaves out those civil society organisations in ensuring domestication. Furthermore, Government only signs some of these instruments when it serves certain interests, such as where donor funding is involved, or during the period of elections and the ruling party wants to show some form of political will. “But after elections, things go back to square one.” 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: 1.7 (2012 = 2.1; 2010 = 1.0; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a) 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. Media houses are not required to obtain permission in order to start a print publication. However, they do have to register their publication with the Registrar of Societies. “A lawyer must craft Articles of Association, then the media house has to go to the Post Office and register with 200 Maloti (USD16.40). It’s an easy process.” 18 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2015