SECTOR 3 Findings from a 2015 research study titled ‘The influence of government advertising on print media content in Lesotho,’6 showed that the government uses advertising as a tool to suppress media freedom in a ‘carrot and stick’ approach, to ensure that print media publications provide positive and maximum coverage towards it. 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: ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.1 (2015: 2.3, 2012: 1.7, 2010: 1.1, 2008: 1.9, 2006: 1.1) 2.13 The advertising market is large enough to support a diversity of media outlets Although Lesotho has no daily newspapers, the reality is that the advertising market is not large enough to support more newspapers, which is why they have weekly runs. The government, mobile companies and banks are the biggest advertisers and control the majority of advertising spend. The Lesotho Times, Public Eye and The Post receive the bulk of advertising. Scores: Individual scores: 6 33 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: 2.7 (2015: 2.3, 2012: 1.8, 2010: 1.8, 2008: 1.1, 2006: 1.5) Overall Score for Sector 2: 2.7 Research study was conducted and reported on by one of the panelists at the AMB session. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2018 ✓