The obligation of Radio Lesotho in this regard is therefore particularly strong.

It should be one of the principal duties of Radio Lesotho to inform the public about matters of public interest, to provide balanced, objective news coverage, and to offer a right to reply to inaccurate statements.

To meet the requirements of pluralism, Radio Lesotho will need to have comprehensive, in-depth and impartial news and information coverage, across a range of broadcasting outlets, in order to support a fair and informed national debate. This should include a mix of coverage of international, national and local issues, local perspectives and comprehensive coverage of the political process, including parliament, political party conferences and national and local elections.
The transmission infrastructure used by the public service broadcaster should be made accessible to all broadcasters under reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.

Radio Lesotho Programming
Radio Lesotho should concentrate on providing high quality programming in news and current affairs journalism; in distinctively indigenous drama; in arts, culture and science; and in unique culturally sensitive comedy and variety programming.
Radio Lesotho should aim to provide programme schedules that are unmistakably African. The result will be for the radio to minimise its prime time international programming.

Radio Lesotho should develop an active programming role, and provide a clear alternative to commercial broadcasters. It should also acquire and schedule the best programming produced around the world, on a selective basis. The programming should be chosen for its quality and not for its commercial potential Radio Lesotho must commission independent local producers rather than endeavouring to do everything in-house. This would lead to development of local programming production capability since a demand would have been created for the local product.

Radio Lesotho should seek to reflect the full and diverse range of culture and entertainment in our society and should therefore;

Portray all forma of entertainment, humour, artistic and cultural expression Reflect the dimensions of both popular and minority culture that makes us uniquGive special prominence to the artistic, sporting and ceremonial events that bring us together as a nation

Be an active cultural patron – fostering and nurturing our national talent, originating and commissioning new works and developing excellence in the arts Take risks with innovative programming

Schedule programmes in a way that these priorities are reflected in prime time listening hours when large audiences are available
Provide relevant and accessible programming and services that create opportunities for education and development.

Meanwhile, in terms of gender mainstreaming and HIV and AIDS issues, the national chapter undertook a six month long monitoring project of HIV/AIDS and gender issues for insensitive language use. An analytical report of the project has been produced and it is envisaged that the document will be used at a forum to sensitise the media on the importance of befitting language use in the areas in question. Click here to read the report