SECTOR 4 4.3 The media cover the full spectrum of events, issues and cultures, including business/economics, cultural, local and investigative stories. Business and economics reporting remains very poor, partly because businesses are unwilling to provide the media with information, for fear of the media trying to expose their negative elements. Government structures such as the Central Bank take a similar approach. “Commercial banks only started having public relations officers in the last few years. But we are getting there in terms of business and economics reporting.” Meanwhile, investigative journalism is poor “across the spectrum”, as is the coverage of ethnic minorities. “The Basotho is a homogenous nation. We share many cultural and social values. But we do have minorities who are not represented in the media.” “...politics is on the front page and the third page. Other issues come later on.” News content is dominated by politics. “Politics makes news in Lesotho more than in many countries,” a panellist posited. Other sectors suffer as a result of this preoccupation with politics. One panellist felt that this was simply an impression created by the fact that political coverage tends to be prioritized. “There is a variety of issues covered in the media, it’s just that politics takes the spotlight - politics is on the front page and the third page. Other issues come later on.” Panellists spoke of “an urban/rural divide”, with media coverage focused mostly on urban areas. Meanwhile, religious stations try to focus on more than just religion. “If we only focused on religion we would lose our listeners,” a panellist explained. 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: 54 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010 3.7 (2008 = 2.0; 2006 = 4.0)