SECTOR 4 4.6 Owners of established mainstream private media do not interfere with editorial independence. Panellists felt that there is interference from media owners, and cited the example of PCFM, which was taken to court by one of its own directors for covering a story critical of itself. “Owners have their own vision and objectives to reach, and if you are going to stand in their way, they are going to kick you out.” In Lesotho, the distinction between owner and editor is often blurred by the fact that most owners double up as editors of the products they own, and naturally have an influence over editorial content. Sometimes, they interfere in “a positive way” - for example, by insisting that their journalists are professional. Lesotho’s harsh economic climate makes owners particularly sensitive to what their media cover. Lesotho’s static economy and a business sector dominated by large South African chains that have their ad budgets set in their own country results in a constricted advertising base. Since there are very few local companies who are able to advertise on a large scale, publishers are wary of offending these advertisers. 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: 2.1 (2008 = 1.1; 2006 = 1.0) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010 57