Lesotho

The Lesotho government that has committed itself to SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport and Declarations on Information, Communications and Technology and Freedom of Expression, including the African Charter on Broadcasting presented to Parliament a draft Lesotho Broadcasting Corporation Bill 2004. If the Bill becomes law without amendments it empowers the Minister responsible for broadcasting to appoint Board Members and Chief Executive of the corporation.

The Bill states that the minister will provide Board members with all necessary materials to enable them discharge their duties. According to the Bill, the Board shall have powers to hire staff through an appointments Committee. Though transformation of the state broadcaster seems to be a non-starter, there has been a significant change as far as proliferation of private radio stations is concerned. Between 1993 and 2004 five private and one Christian radio stations were opened. The appearance of these radio stations is a result of enactment of Lesotho Telecommunications Authority Act of 2000. Back