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: 4.3 (2012 = 4.8; 2010 = 3.2; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a) 1.10 Civil society in general and media lobby groups actively advance the cause of media freedom. MISA Lesotho is the most active media organisation in Lesotho, and it often collaborates with civil society on platforms where media issues are discussed. The Transformation Resource Centre is also very active, has a clear position on media freedom issues, and a dedicated media programme that is part of its core activities. The TRC has supported MISA on campaigns such as Press Freedom Day and Access to Information. The Basotho Media Women’s Association (BMWA) – made up of women leaders in different media houses – engages in activities aimed at empowering women in media, discussing women’s issues and enhancing media coverage of women. It is currently working on developing a charter on women in media. Aside from these three organisations, civil society groups are not very active on issues around media freedom. The Editors Forum and the Journalists Association are no longer active. Moreover, the media fraternity is polarised (along political party lines), and therefore, groups formed to advocate for media freedom are not sustainable. “The cause is lost because of this fragmentation.” The level of consciousness of the public with respect to media policy issues is very limited, and the public “is not generally aware of the importance of media freedom”. “People do not link the media freedom issues to their own situation as citizens.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2015 23