SECTOR 4 “The problem, I realised, is that there is disunity amongst journalists – a polarisation of journalists and media houses. This creates a serious problem…It needs strong leadership that will rise above these political issues.” Panellists identified this fragmentation as twofold. Firstly, proprietors do not foster unity amongst journalists from different media houses; and secondly, there is a rivalry formed by the scramble for advertising. “There is no unity amongst us. We are in groups. There are different groups amongst us.” “We need to find common ground in order not to be fragmented.” Aside from JAL, however, there is the Basotho Media Women’s Association (BMWA), which was set up in early 2015 as a platform for women in media. The organisation is made up of “women from various media houses, but only those who hold leadership positions because they would be in a better position of influence”. Another association is the Editors’ Forum, formed in April 2013, as a forum for editors from all media to confer on issues of ethics, regulations, etc, as well as for editors to meet with government. It is affiliated to SAEF and TAEF. However, the Forum faces financial constraints and “has no financial muscle”. 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 = 1.4; 2010 = 2.0; 2008 = 1.5; 2006 = 1.9) 4.5 Journalists and media houses have integrity and are not corrupt. There was consensus amongst panellists that “very much” corruption takes place – in the media. Further, both editors and journalists lack integrity in that they “are being used by the politicians” to push various political agendas. “It is known that some journalists are aligned with certain political parties that will give them certain incentives to push their agenda.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Lesotho 2015 57