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MISA-Lesotho denied access to airwaves

(MISA/IFEX) - Since 6 October 2004, MISA's Lesotho chapter has been denied access to state-owned radio and television to comment on media law reform and to advocate changes to national radio and television.

MISA-Lesotho had requested a slot on "Seboping", state-owned Radio Lesotho's current affairs phone-in programme. The organisation had hoped to sensitise the public about the need to transform Radio Lesotho into a public-service broadcaster (PSB).

On 6 October, Lesotho Television (LTV) interviewed MISA-Lesotho's national director, Malefetsane Nkhahle, about the PSB campaign and asked the organisation to comment on the Lesotho Broadcasting Corporation Bill, which has been tabled before Parliament. The national chapter criticised the Bill for not conforming to the ideals of a true PSB.

The interview preceded a meeting, organised by MISA-Lesotho, to form an NGO and civil society coalition to pressure the government to withdraw the Bill and involve civil society stakeholders in consultations to improve the legislation.

LTV was invited to the meeting, but did not attend. MISA-Lesotho learned that that the LTV crew was refused permission to cover the meeting by officials in the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology. Furthermore, following the ministry's instructions, the Nkhahle interview was not televised. MISA-Lesotho was also scheduled to appear on the LTV programme "Seotlong" on 13 October. However, its participation has since been cancelled.