(particularly at LTV) to ensure high quality and diverse programming in line with the requirements stated in the Communications Act. The challenges that exist within Lesotho’s media landscape are not restricted to the regulatory structures and much introspection is required of media practitioners themselves. Media practitioners in the state media face an identity crisis, in that they have to juggle their roles as journalists with their standing as civil servants. One panellist noted, ‘There is some form of tension and conflict between their identity construction as civil servants, professional journalists or government mouth pieces. Sometimes, professional journalism standards are tainted due to the expectations of the minister controlling the Ministry of Communications at the time.’ Overall, panellists were of the opinion that there is room for improvement in the professional standards of Lesotho’s state and private media. While it was agreed that the media is generally fair in its reporting, major concerns arose about the lack of accuracy in the media. These inaccuracies were said to stem from a range of factors, including the lack of training, lack of knowledge of specialised subject areas and the tendency of the media to focus on government officials as newsmakers. It has been observed of media (particularly in a highly polarised environment) to sensationalise news. Stories also ‘get lost in translation’, losing their context as they are translated from Sesotho to English. Furthermore, corruption is rife in the media and this transpires throughout all levels – from journalists, to editors, to owners. There are few avenues available to the public to resolve issues that arise from inaccurate reporting, as Lesotho has no media ombudsman or media council. As such, members of the public often resort to the public court system; several court cases remain pending against Lesotho’s media houses.1 The working conditions for journalists leave much to be desired and members of the media lack the organisation to advocate for better conditions. Salaries in private media houses can be as low as 1,500 M (100 USD) for an entry-level journalist with a first degree and little – if anything – is provided in the way of additional benefits (e.g. medical aid, pension, security or transport). Some blame these poor conditions on corruption in media houses. The various professional bodies that exist are either defunct or dysfunctional; and it was of popular opinion amongst panellists that aside from MISA-Lesotho, others cannot be fully relied upon to represent the interests of their members. On the whole, it was found that a number of gaps exist in Lesotho’s media landscape in terms of the policy and legislative environment, as well as in terms of the professional standards of Lesotho’s public and private media houses. While there has been improvement since the 2015 AMB, greater advocacy is required on the issues of media law reform, as well as in reviving Lesotho’s journalism unions and professional media bodies. 1 7 Many of these cases have not yet been dealt with due to a shortage of judicial staff. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2018