Ombudsman Seeks Closer Cooperation with Media, NGOs

Democracy and good governance, and the upholding of human rights can be enhanced by the media , non-governmental organizations and the Office of the Ombudsman working together to ensure the accountability and transparency of political and public authorities.

A workshop held to encourage a closer working relationship between the three organisations in Maseru on October 28, “working together to enhance and deepen the tenets of democracy, uphold human rights and good governance,” agreed that their informative and watchdog role can help countries achieve and maintain democratic rule through the interpretation of and advice on contemporary issues, as well as being a forum for debate and exchange of ideas.

Cooperation between these organisations was very crucial especially in young and developing countries such as Lesotho, where they can help political and public authorities keep on the right track, whether there is good governance or otherwise including the sensitising of citizens about their human rights.

At the very least, the media can play a “name them and shame them” game in order to force compliance with acceptable norms from institutions and organisations involved in corrupt practices, the participants said.

Non-governmental organisations have the advantage of being able to reach even the village level, where a farmers’ cooperative for example, affiliated to an even bigger one, can have the human resources necessary to teach members about their human rights and in the same way promote democracy.

Ombudsman Mr. Sekara S.Mafisa with MISA-Lesotho chairperson Thabo Thakalekoala and Lesotho Council of NGOs leader, Mrs. Mots'eoa Senyane at the workshop

However, the participants realised that media do have problems that hinder them from carrying out their function effectively, including editors and owners who are clueless about national issues, refusing to run some stories however much they benefit society, because these “do not sell” their newspapers or make their radio stations popular.

NGOs too were being held back by a lack of commitment to serve communities that has become more worrying of late as people are prepared to serve on only those organisations where there is some remuneration.

The tree organisations pledged closer cooperation in order to achieve their goal

29 October 2004