National Editors Forum Launched

The Lesotho national Editors Forum will be launched on December 12, Media Institute of Lesotho (MILES) Information and Research Officer, Mr. Tom Mapesela has announced.

The launch is in line with appeals by the recently formed regional organisation, the Southern African Editors Forum for editors to work together at the national level throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and, according to Mr. Mapesela, signals commitment by the country's editors to address media challenges jointly and ensure that journalism as a profession is enhanced.

Some 30 editors from the print and electronic media from the SADC region, meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, in November, launched the Southern African Editors Forum, thrashing out such issues as its draft constitution, sources of funding and possible programmes and projects that would promote media freedom in the region.

A conference is to be held in the new year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, at which plans to establish a continental forum will be discussed, according to the MILES spokesperson.
8 December 2003