SECTOR 4 company Econet, are looking to establish a training institute within the Ministry of Communications to provide degree programmes that prepare people to work in the communications industry. Fewer and fewer government bursaries are available to students, as journalism is not seen as a priority subject. “Therefore we don’t have many qualified journalists in Lesotho,” explained one panellist. Another added that “Many media owners don’t have an understanding of media.” 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: 2.8 (2008 = 1.8; 2006 = 3.4) 4.10 Journalists and other media practitioners are organised in trade unions and/or professional associations. Over the years, there have been numerous professional associations for journalists and other media practitioners. However, these have tended to “belong to individuals”, and have had limited membership as a result. “They were more cliques,” said one panellist. Most associations are dysfunctional. In 1993, journalists tried to register a formal trade union, but government turned down their application. For a trade union to register, it needs to represent 51 percent of an industry’s workforce. “Most of the country’s journalists work for the government, and civil servants are not allowed to join - or form - a trade union.” Anti- “Most of the country’s journalists work for the government, and civil servants are not allowed to join - or form - a trade union.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2010 61