SECTOR 1 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: 2.0 (2012 = 1.5; 2010 = 1.2; 2008 = 1.0; 2006 = 1.6) 1.7 Public information is easily accessible, guaranteed by law, to all citizens. Section 14 of the Constitution speaks to each citizens right to “receive ideas and information without interference”, but it does not speak directly to the access of public information. Lesotho has no Access to Information law, although the Law Reform Commission drafted an Access to and Receipt of Information Bill in 2002 that was not tabled in Parliament. Accessing public information is difficult for both citizens and the media. “Even simple information is hard to get.” “We have information officers in different ministries; but why do we have them if, when we need to get information, they ask us to write letters to the CEO to provide them with permission?” “They are there, but they are inactive.” Panellists noted that in the Ministry of Public Service’s Information Dissemination Strategy, only Principal Secretaries may provide authorisation for information disclosure to the public. “So even in the Bill there are limitations. Information officers can’t freely provide information.” A media practitioner on the panel noted an example, whereby an interview was conducted with a Senior Education Officer in a district, where, after the Junior Certificate exams, it had been discovered that some exam papers had been leaked and some children had cheated. The Officer provided extensive information during the interview such as the names of the schools implicated, and so forth. However, before the story could be publicised, she called and asked for a retraction, fearing that she would face negative consequences for speaking to the media. “Even the Principal Secretary can’t go on air without consulting the Minister.” 20 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2015