Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho Chapter has called on the media practitioners to rally and monitor the implementation of the ongoing
media reforms. This the Institute said on Tuesday this week in a press conference. Addressing the journalists, MISA Lesotho Chairperson who doubles as the National Reforms
Authority (NRA) Media Reforms Technical Committee Chairperson Nkoale Oetsi Tšoana said he will ensure that the media practitioners’ wishes see the light
of the day, vowing to remain resolute on that. MISA Lesotho Secretary Palesa Maharasoa said the journey is long and appealed to the practitioners to rally behind these reforms.
Tšoana said the plenary has adopted the Media Reforms Technical Committee which will have General Principles of Media in Lesotho, Media Council of Lesotho,
Independent Communication Authority, Media Ombudsman, General Principles of Public Broadcasting and Lesotho Public Broadcasting Corporation anchored in the
Constitution. He said those who are aggrieved by the print media will now have a platform to air their grievances as the Media Ombudsman will hear and adjudicator in such
cases. “Presently, the people who have concerns with the newspapers approach court for recourse and litigations are expensive processes” he argued. The
reforms are about: “The transformation of the Kingdom of Lesotho into a just, prosperous and stable country marked by effective and people-focused institutions;
national unity of purpose; rule of law, good governance and human rights. ” These reforms are envisaged to professionalise and regulate the media profession.
MISA Lesotho has previously raised concerns over pseudo-journalists saying: “They disregard and violate all ethical practices and conduct enshrined in journalism
as they engage themselves in political differences on social media- behaving much like the foot soldiers for certain political elites. ” NRA is mandated to implement the reforms within the seven thematic areas which are
constitution, parliament, media, economy, security, judiciary and public service sector. It is established through the Parliament Act No. 4, 2019 and the NRA Regulations,
2020 and it is accountable to both houses of Parliament. Bringing the journalists up to speed with the latest developments regarding the media
reforms in the NRA, the Chairperson said Media is one of the seven thematic areas that are undergoing reforms processes. MISA Lesotho has previously pronounced itself that it aspires for the Media Council
which will among others accredit the practitioners and Media Ombudsman who will among others ensure the enforcement of ethical conduct with the media profession.
“Media in Lesotho shall play an integral in the development and democratisation
process of the country. “Media shall be a platform that facilitates citizen participation in public affairs and development of the country; Media shall promote freedom of expression,”
reads the Committee’s report. MISA is an advocacy and lobby Institution that aspires for media freedom, pluralism and diversity within the media industry.
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