SECTOR 3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body that is adequately protected by law against interference and whose board is not dominated by any particular political party and is appointed – in an open way – involving civil society The Lesotho Communications Authority Act establishes the LCA. The Lesotho Communications Authority (amendment) Act of 2008 broadened the Lesotho Telecommunications Authority Act of 2000 to include electronic media. According to Section 5 (2) of the Lesotho Communications Authority Act, the board should consist of seven members, including the chief executive officer, all of whom are appointed by the minister (who in this case is the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology). Panellists argued that there is no transparency in the appointment of the LCA board members and that the board is unfortunately captured by politics. ‘Since the LCA Board is appointed by the minister, who is a political appointee, its independence is compromised right from the start.’ While the previous Lesotho Communications Authority Act of 2002 assured the independence of board members, the 2006 amendment deleted the words ‘autonomous and independent’ from the description of the LCA, severely undermining its former position as an independent authority. Therefore, both in law and in practise, the LCA is not an independent entity. 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: 36 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2018 ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ 1.3 (2015: 1.5, 2012: 1.5, 2010: 1.4, 2008: n/a, 2006: n/a)