SECTOR 1

1.11 Media legislation evolves from meaningful
consultations among state institutions, citizens
and interest groups
Lesotho has no media legislation and as such, there has not been much activity
in the space. The Media Policy has been in draft for 15 years. Consultations
were held when it was first presented but there have not been any in the recent
past. Panellists posited that there is no political will in Lesotho to provide more
freedom to the media.
‘Engagement on policies and laws does happen albeit sporadically. It also
depends on who is the Minister of Information at that particular time.’
There has never been a nation-wide consultation or debate on media legislation
in the country. ‘Consultations are not wide [enough] nor meaningful.’

Scores:
Individual scores:

20

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:

2.2 (2015: 1.5, 2012: 1.4, 2010: 1.6, 2008: n/a,
2006: n/a)

Overall Score for Sector 1:

2.9

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2018

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