SECTOR 2

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:

✓✓✓✓

✓

✓

✓

✓✓✓
✓

3.5 (2015: 2.9, 2012: 2.6, 2010: 3.6, 2008: 1.8,
2006: 2.5)

2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international
media sources is not restricted by state authorities
The state does not restrict access to international or regional newspapers. South
African newspapers are sold in the country and the public can access international
broadcasting news channels such as the Cable News Network (CNN), the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Russian TV (R-TV), and Sky TV through DSTV.

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:

✓
✓✓✓

✓

✓

✓✓✓

✓

✓

4.5 (2015: 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
Lesotho Today, which reopened in September 2018 after having closed in 2015,
is the only state published print media.
Panellists believed that since reopening, nothing has changed regarding political
interference; there is still no editorial independence at the newspaper and a great
deal of self-censorship takes place.

24

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2018

Select target paragraph3