SECTOR 3 3.3 The body regulates broadcasting services and licences in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. The eight existing private radio stations appear, on the surface at least, to represent a broad cross section of Lesotho’s society. However, government controls the country’s broadcasting infrastructure (transmitters etc), upon which private broadcasters depend. Government uses this control of the transmitter network to keep private broadcasters in check, as has been seen with the suspensions of Harvest FM and MoAfrika radio stations. These suspensions were done under the auspices of the stations being behind with the payment of their transmitter rental fees. According to the panellists, most radio stations are in arrears with their transmitter rentals and, on these grounds, the plug can easily be pulled on broadcasters who do not toe the government line. To apply for a license, prospective broadcasters must submit an application form and business plan to the LCA. The draft media policy envisages the establishment of a broadcasting complaints panel to regulate complaints about programming. At present the LCA plays this role. The 2008 Communications Policy also provides for the establishment of a broadcasting complaints panel under the yet to be tabled Communications Act. 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: 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010 2.0 (2008 = 1.1; 2006 = 1.0)