Lesotho: Ambassador calls for equal access to state media

United States Ambassador to Lesotho Robert Nolan, has called on the government of Lesotho to give all stakeholders access to state-controlled media. Nolan made the call on the occasion of the celebration of the 234th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

“We look forward to continuing to hear the voices of all people and all political parties represented on the national television station, in print media, and on the radio,” he said in his prepared remarks.

MISA Lesotho applauds this call by the US Embassy in Lesotho for greater diversity of voices presented in local media in the interest of deepening democratic practises.
In assessments that MISA Lesotho has carried out, it has emerged that the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) receives more broadcast airtime from the national television and radio broadcasters, contrary to best practices as envisaged by the African Charter on Broadcasting.

MISA Lesotho said in the absence of a media policy, state media is still under direct control of the government, making them susceptible to political abuse.


- August 09, 2010 by MISA Lesotho

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Source: www.misa.org  (received via email alert on 09.08.2010)