SECTOR 4 4.9 Media professionals have access to training facilities offering formal qualification programmes as well as opportunities to upgrade skills Media-related courses are offered at two of Lesotho’s tertiary education institutions: • Institute of Extra Mural Studies (IEMS) of the National University of Lesotho - Mass Communications • Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (the local campus of an international university founded in Malaysia) - Advertising and Journalism. Some panellists felt that these courses do not meet the needs of the local media industry. “Students don’t have passion for media. They are attracted by the glamour of being radio or TV presenters. Therefore students don’t focus on the practical side of the profession,” a panellist pointed out. “The industry has proposed a review of the programme and for an upgrade.” The IEMS course was designed with working journalists in mind, but some panellists felt it was too theoretical. The fact that the IEMS course is taught after working hours also limits the opportunities students have for practical experience. One panellist noted that: “There is a disconnect between the programme and the industry. The industry has proposed a review of the programme and for an up-grade. However, there is an economic crisis at the university, and therefore there has been no review.” Another added that: “Not enough time is spent on preparing students for practical journalism. When they come to the newsroom we don’t have time to mentor them.” However, other panellists argued that training should not just be seen in the context of the print media. “IEMS is perceived as not being relevant by the press because it does not just focus on producing journalists who can write for the press. We have to be careful about labelling. Limkokwing also focuses on a whole range of media sectors - broadcasting, film production, and not just news and politics.” On the other hand, IEMS feels that the industry does not contribute to the programme or help it to improve by providing input. In addition to the tertiary institutions, organizations such as MISA and Newshare offer ad hoc, once-off training workshops. Increasingly, media houses are trying to provide staff with in-house training. Radio Lesotho, together with the cell-phone 60 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010