SECTOR 1 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. The registration of publications is very straightforward. The process takes no more than a day and costs M150. In fact, the process is so straightforward that panellists felt registration was a “free for all”. (At the time of this report - September 2010 - 1 Lesotho “The law is used Loti (plural Maloti) was worth 1 South African Rand and 0.14 to the US dollar.) to intimidate the media.” However, there is a sting in the tail. In terms of the Post Office Act - which regulates the registration of publications, every edition of every publication produced has to be vetted by the director of postal services before going to print. This does not happen in practice, “But when it comes to a fight in court, they will bring in the law and you will always lose. The law is used to intimidate the media.” 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: 3.4 (2008 = n/a ; 2006 = n/a) 1.6 Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted. “In Lesotho you can be whoever you want to be”, and there are no restrictions on becoming a journalist. Press cards exist, but journalists can operate without them. To apply for a press card, a journalist fills in a form at the communications ministry, and then pays a registration fee of M70 (+/-USD10) at the police station. Anyone can apply. The police used to vet applications, but this no longer happens. However, in terms of the law, the police can refuse accreditation. Out of principle, a number of private 16 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010