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Alerts - Lesotho

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Lesotho

High Court judge sues Harvest FM radio station

According to a letter from her lawyer, Justice 'Maseforo Mahase has claimed that a programme aired by the station contained defamatory remarks against her.

Lesotho

Privately-owned radio stations off the air amid demonstrations

One of the stations' managers said a government official had told her station to "mend its ways" or face being shut down.

Lesotho

High-ranking police officer sues Harvest FM and radio presenter

Assistant Police Commisioner Thakane Theko has accused journalist Relebohile Moyeye and the radio station of defaming her by alleging that she was involved in fraudulent activities.

Lesotho

Political opposition leader threatens to shoot journalist

Reporter Caswell Tlali was threatened while seeking comment on a criminal case involving a close family member of the opposition leader.

Lesotho

Cabinet delays implementation of media policy

The cabinet's actions represent another delay in 13 years of efforts to reform the outmoded legal framework governing journalism and broadcasting.

Lesotho

Journalist injured during clashes between students and police

Reporter Mapamela Khanyela suffered minor injuries when police opened fire on protesting students at the National University of Lesotho.

Lesotho

Ruling party proposes law that would hinder freedom of expression and association

The Public Meetings and Processions Bill seeks to prohibit the holding of public meetings without prior approval from the authorities.

Lesotho

Journalist receives death threat, motive unclear

Journalist 'Marafaele Mohloboli said she does not know who might be behind a threatening note sent to her home.

Lesotho

Journalist sentenced to two years in jail with option of a fine for sedition

(MISA/IFEX) - On 22 October 2008 the High Court of Lesotho sentenced broadcast journalist Thabo Thakalekoala to two years in prison for sedition or alternatively a fine of M200 (US$18).

Lesotho

Harvest FM radio station back on air

(MISA/IFEX) - On 22 October 2008, Harvest FM hit the airwaves again after three months of suspension by the broadcasting regulator. Station manager Malichaba Lekhoaba appeared on the morning "Rise and Shine programme" to give a background on the recent run-in the radio station had with the broadcasting regulator.

Lesotho

Defunct weekly issued hefty fine in defamation case

(MISA/IFEX) - A defunct Lesotho weekly, "The Mirror", its editor and EPIC Printers were slapped with a M50 000 (USD $8 000) fine by the High Court of Lesotho on 29 September 2008 for defaming Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

Lesotho

Journalist covering protest manhandled by political party militants, his camera confiscated

(MISA/IFEX) - On 27 July 2008, "Public Eye" photographer Mohapi Moeketsi was manhandled by All Basotho Convention (ABC) party supporters in Rothe constituency. The party militants confiscated the journalist's camera and shoved him about.

Lesotho

Privately-owned radio station suspended for "failure to cooperate with the authority"

(MISA/IFEX) - On 21 July 2008 the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) imposed a twelve-month suspension on Harvest FM for what it called "failure to cooperate with the authority."

Lesotho

"Broadcast media under siege," says MISA as government hikes licencing fees, harasses radio station and plans restrictive legislative amendment

(MISA/IFEX) - The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) has slapped broadcasters with a seven-fold license fee hike. The LCA sent invoices to radio stations with new licence fees, with a shocking US$3000 annual fee, up from US$400. The move has shocked the broadcasters, especially private media outlets, which have, since 2005, suffered from economic difficulties owing to a move by the government to withdraw advertising.

Lesotho

Radio broadcaster facing charges read offending letter under threat of imminent death

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 6 February 2008 WPFC press release:

Lesotho

Journalist charged with additional criminal offences, faces possible death penalty for "high treason"

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 22 January 2008 IPI press release:

Lesotho

Weekly's survival threatened by state advertising boycott ordered by government

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the survival of the privately-owned weekly "Public Eye" following an order from the government to all state and parastatal agencies at the start of June 2007 not to buy any more of its advertising space.

Lesotho

"Public Eye" reporter harassed at rally

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 June 2007, a "Public Eye" reporter, Kabelo Masoabi, was verbally attacked at the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy's (LCD) rally in Makhaleng, Ha Ramabanta, in the Maseru district.

Lesotho

Radio host freed on bail, charged with "failing to report subversive activity"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the Lesothan authorities to drop all charges against radio host Thabo Thakalekoala of privately-owned Harvest FM, who was released on bail on 25 June 2007 after being held for three days for reading a letter on the air demanding the prime minister's resignation. It was reportedly given to him by members of the armed forces.

Lesotho

Journalist arrested on treason charges declares hunger strike pending trial

(MISA/IFEX) - On 22 June 2007, freelance journalist and Regional Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Thabo Thakalekoala was arrested by Lesotho mounted police officers shortly after completing his morning "Rise and Shine" radio broadcast on Harvest FM radio. The mounted police are a division of the criminal investigation department (CID).

Lesotho

Previously-harassed journalist receives death threats; others threatened, harassed, accused of "causing confusion"

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 February 2007, MISA confirmed that several journalists in Lesotho are being inundated with anonymous threatening calls, and accusations that they are at the forefront of a campaign to cause confusion in the country and within the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD). The targeted journalists, Thabo Thakalekoala and Adam Lekhoada of Harvest FM radio station, Molika of People's Choice (PC) FM radio station, and Malehloka Lalitapole of PC FM radio station, are also accused of promoting negative perceptions about some members of the government of Lesotho.

Lesotho

Radio presenter threatened after interviewing political journalist banned from public broadcast media

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about attempts to intimidate leading political journalist Thabo Thakalekoala, who was recently elected president of the regional press freedom organisation, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). Since he covered a split in the ruling party for several international media, he and his family have received daily death threats and he says he has been banned from speaking on the public broadcast media.

Lesotho

Broadcast journalist inundated with threats over his reporting on political developments

(MISA/IFEX) - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) correspondent in Lesotho, Thabo Thakalekoala, who is also the regional chairperson of MISA, has been inundated with threatening anonymous calls that complain about his reporting, ever since the former minister of communications, Tom Thabane, defected from the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) to form the All Basotho Convention (ABC) on 9 October 2006.

Lesotho

Editor faces defamation suit

(MISA/IFEX) - The editor-in-chief of the fortnightly Lesotho Police Service tabloid "Leseli Ka Sepolesa", Clifford Molefe, has been served with a court summons by Mohau Thakaso, the former Lesotho Football Association's (LEFA) public relations officer, demanding a staggering M3,000,000 (approx. US$422,000) in damages for defamation.

Lesotho

Reporter summoned before High Court

(MISA/IFEX) - "Public Eye" Chief Reporter Khutliso Sekoati has been summoned to appear before the High Court on 4 September 2006 to show cause why his 14 July article in "Public Eye", titled "Judges in line as targets of corruption", or portions thereof that are considered to call into question the High Court judges' integrity, should not be withdrawn.

Lesotho

Weekly newspaper ordered to pay damages for alleged defamation

(MISA/IFEX) - On Monday November 7, 2005, Justice Kellelo Guni passed a judgment in the High Court of Lesotho against the English-language weekly newspaper "Public Eye", the largest publication in Lesotho.

Lesotho

MISA victory ensures media access to public information

(MISA/IFEX) - The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho has acted decisively to ensure that public and private media have equal access to public information about the upcoming Commonwealth Speakers' Conference in Lesotho starting on 2 November 2005.

Lesotho

Anonymous callers threaten guests of phone-in show

(MISA/IFEX) - On 11 July 2005, the phone-in talk show programme "Lijo'a Ke Baeti", broadcast on Catholic Radio (CR) FM, was interrupted by anonymous callers who threatened one of the guests on the programme, Matlama Football Club Public Relations Officer Thabo Thakalekoala, vowing to kill him for "talking too much". Thakalekoala and Lesotho Defence Force Football Club Public Relations Officer Tseliso 'Jomo' Pholo were guests on the programme, which focused on the financial irregularities and inadequate monitoring of expenditure within the ranks of the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA).

Lesotho

Journalist, radio station manager threatened

(MISA/IFEX) - On the morning of 30 June 2005, Masupha Jobo, presenter of the phone-in talk show "Lijo'a Ke Baeti", broadcast on Catholic Radio (CR) FM, and the station's manager, Sister Clementine Thatho, received threatening calls in connection with the programme that Jobo was hosting that day.

Lesotho

Journalists summoned, newspaper threatened with legal action

(MISA/IFEX) - On 21 March 2005, "Public Eye" editor-in-chief Bethuel Thai and journalist Khutliso Sekoati were summoned to appear before Lesotho's chief magistrate, Molefi Makara, in connection with an article published in the newspaper's 18 to 24 March edition, entitled, "R350,000 [approx. US$56,600] seized at airport". Thai and Sekoati, who are former MISA-Lesotho national directors, appeared before Chief Magistrate Makara on 21 March.

Lesotho

Court proceedings begin in civil defamation case against newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 March 2005, representatives of the English-language weekly "The Mirror" appeared before the High Court on civil defamation charges relating to a July 2003 article published in the paper. The newspaper's sub-editor, Handsome Tlali Caswell, is the second defendant in the case and author of the article over which the plaintiff, Moeketse Vincent Malebo, launched his complaint.

Lesotho

Editor threatened

(MISA/IFEX) - On 25 February 2005, the editor of the weekly tabloid "Moeletsi oa Basotho", Francis Khoaripe, was threatened by two officials of the Lesotho Catholic Bishop's Conference (LCBC) for allegedly defaming them in an article published in that day's edition of the paper.

Lesotho

Newspapers face possible closure following ruling in civil defamation suit

(MISA/IFEX) - The weekly Sesotho-language tabloid "Setsomi Sa Litaba", a sister publication of the weekly English-language newspaper "The Mirror", faces possible closure due to a judgment that was passed against it in a civil defamation suit.

Lesotho

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.

Lesotho

Newspaper sued

(MISA/IFEX) - During the week of 13 to 17 September 2004, managers of the weekly Sesotho-language tabloid "Setsomi Sa Litaba" appeared in court four times to respond to a civil defamation charge for an article published in the14 April edition of the paper. "Setsomi Sa Litaba" is a sister publication of the English-language weekly "Mirror".

Lesotho

Journalist and street vendors assaulted by police

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 September 2004, Justice Maqelepo, a local freelance journalist, was severely assaulted by members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and municipal constables of the Maseru City Council (MCC) in the central business district of the capital, Maseru.

Lesotho

Court orders return of newspaper's computer equipment

(MISA/IFEX) - On 18 August 2004, the "Mirror" newspaper, a weekly English tabloid, was served with a rescission order providing for the return of all its computer equipment by the sheriff of Lesotho's High Court. This follows the seizure of the newspaper's computer equipment after being served with a writ of execution in a civil defamation case filed by an individual named Nthakeng Pheello Selinyane on 5 April.

Lesotho

Newspaper faces possible closure

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 August 2004, the newly-established English-language tabloid newspaper "Our Times", which is owned by a company registered as Soul to Soul, was served with a summons by local law firm Nthethe and Company, on behalf of Voice Multimedia, publishers of the weekly English-language tabloid newspaper "Public Eye".

Lesotho

Minister complains about newspaper article

(MISA/IFEX) - On 7 June 2004, Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety Thomas Motsoahae Thabane contacted MISA-Lesotho's chairperson with regards to a front page article that appeared in "The Mirror" newspaper (volume 18, number 23 of 2-8 June 2004), entitled, "Thabane Gets Slap in the Face".

Lesotho

Radio Lesotho editor threatened

(MISA/IFEX) - On 19 May 2004, Nthabeleng Sefako, editor of the Radio Lesotho current affairs phone-in programme "Seboping", was threatened on the air by Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety Thomas Motsoahae Thabane.

Lesotho

Defamation complaint launched against three media outlets, seized equipment returned to "Mohahlaula" newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - On 4 May 2004, the Lesotho High Court rescinded a default judgement relating to a civil defamation claim against the weekly Sesotho newspaper "Mohahlaula". This effectively allows the newspaper to launch a defence against the defamation case in which it was cited as a respondent, along with two other local newspapers and a number of individuals.

Lesotho

Member of Parliament launches legal action against newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - The weekly Sesotho-language tabloid "Mololi", a publication of the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) political party, has been served with a court summons by Lehlohonolo T'sehlana, a member of parliament (MP) for Mokhotlong Constituency No. 79. T'sehlana has accused the newspaper of defamation and is demanding 350,000 maloti (approx. US$54,000).

Lesotho

Minister sues newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - On 23 July 2003, the weekly Sesotho tabloid "Mohahlaula", published by Makaung Printers and Publishing (Pty) Ltd in Lesotho, was served with a summons for civil defamation by the legal representatives of Minister of Trade and Industry Mpho Malie.

Lesotho

Local media denied access to Princess Anne's official visit

(MISA/IFEX) - Local media were denied access to the official visit of Britain's Princess Anne to Lesotho even though South African media were able to cover the events.

Lesotho

Journalists attacked, injured by mob

(MISA/IFEX) - On 2 July 2003, two journalists were injured while covering protests by street vendors in the main Maseru bus-stop area. The street vendors were protesting to the police, who wore protective clothing and were armed with pump-action shotguns, and to Maseru city councillors about their eviction from the streets of Maseru.

Lesotho

IFJ fears for safety of Moafrika owner, condemns attacks on independent media

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Lesotho

Moafrika Radio threatened with closure over defamation suit

(MISA/IFEX) - Late on 16 June 2003, MoAfrika Radio went off the air until midday (local time) on 17 June. The broadcast shutdown was intended to raise public attention and financial support to help the station pay off a civil defamation suit pending against it.

Lesotho

Journalist denied access to information

(MISA/IFEX) - Thabo Thakalekoala, sub-editor of "Mopheme", a weekly English-language newspaper in Lesotho, has repeatedly been denied information relating to the treatment of Katleho Malataliana, a former member of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). Malataliana was arrested in November 1998, along with other LDF members, and later convicted of mutiny against senior officers and the government.

Lesotho

Court rules in favour of newspaper

Lesotho

Newspaper censored

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