LESOTHO: A LONG WAY TO GO FOR MEDIA FREEDOM Media Freedom Violations 2023 INTRODUCTION L ESOTHO’S landscape is characterised by restrictions, high levels of risk and a tendency by citizens to speculate in the absence of tangible information. Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s promise to undertake reforms, made during his inauguration in October 2022, is being questioned as his government has failed to make progress on passing the 11th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, known as the Omnibus Constitutional Bill. The government’s intention to split the Bill into three parts, instead of passing it in its entirety, has resulted in delays and has raised concern that the Bill may not be passed. Since some of the reforms are interlinked, the passing of one provision may directly affect the other. AUTHOR: Matiisetso Mosala This has resulted in heightened tensions of previous years resurfacing, especially as 37 STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023