SECTOR 2

The media landscape, including new
media, is characterised by diversity,
independence and sustainability.
2.1
A wide range of sources of information (print,
broadcasting, internet) is available and affordable to
citizens.
Lesotho has two state-run radio stations - Radio Lesotho and Ultimate FM - which
broadcast countrywide. In addition to this, there are eight privately owned radio
stations. Three of these belong to church organisations, one (Khotso FM) is run
by the National University of Lesotho, and four (Harvest FM, Joy FM, MoAfrica
and PCFM) are commercial broadcasters.
PCFM, MoAfrica and the Catholic Church’s radio station broadcast countrywide
via Radio Lesotho’s transmitter network, while Joy FM, Harvest FM and Karabo
broadcast in and around Maseru. Joy FM was ordered off the air by the LCA
in September 2010, for interfering with the frequencies of other broadcasters.
According to the LCA, it first alerted Joy FM to the problem in May 2009, but
the station’s interference with PCFM and South Africa’s OFM continued. The
ban is set for three months, after which time Joy FM will be expected to stick to its
own frequency. At the time of the AMB, Joy FM was still off air.
In terms of reception, South African radio stations - most notably the South
African Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Lesedi, which broadcasts in Sesotho appear to be more accessible than local stations.
With respect to print media, panellists said a total of 65 newspapers, periodicals
and magazines are published in Lesotho. There are no daily newspapers. Private
newspaper print runs range between 9000 (e.g. Molodi, which is published by the
ruling party - the Lesotho Congress for Democracy) and 2000 copies, and are sold
for anything between M6.50 (e.g. in the case of a privately-owned commercial
venture) and M2.50. (e.g. the paper published by a political party). A loaf of bread
costs about M5 - 7. Free newspapers, which survive on advertising income alone,
have relatively high print runs. For example, the privately owned free newspaper,
Informative, was said to have a print run of about 9000 copies. The state-owned
weekly Lesotho Today has a print run of around 5000 copies, 72 distribution depots
around the country, and sells for M2. It is estimated that one newspaper is read by
an average of 6.5 people.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010

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