SECTOR 2 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. Citizens’ access to international media is not restricted, and South African radio stations such as Metro FM, Lesedi FM, SA FM, and most SABC radio stations can be accessed in Lesotho. There have, however, been attempts by state authorities to restrict radio signals when they think they are in danger. Before the 2012 election, for example, when media houses were “fuelling political talk and getting out of control”, the “one day PS” acting for the PS of the Ministry of Information who was away, decided to switch off all the private radio stations for a few hours that day. Again, on August 30th, 2014, the chief engineer – under the instruction of the Lesotho Defence Force – shut down the radio stations. To allow for the facilitation of the digital migration process, all radio stations – including state media – were shut down during the week of June 1st, 2015. 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: 4.0 (2012 = 4.9; 2010 = 4.8; 2008 = 3.5; 2006 = 5.0) 2.3 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. In Lesotho, the state no longer publishes a print publication, since closing Lesotho Today in March 2014. Panellists believed, however, that if the paper was still in existence, it would face a great deal of political interference. 30 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Lesotho 2015