NES IN NEW COURTSHIP WITH MEDIA
	Plans are in the pipeline to set up a toll-free telephone line to enable every Mosotho to alert the National Environment Secretariat (NES) on any acts that may prove detrimental to the environment. This was disclosed by the Director of NES, Mr Motsamai Damane, when addressing journalists at a media briefing workshop on multi-lateral environmental agreements and the National Capacity Self-Assessment project, in Maseru on Wednesday. The briefing session was aimed at forging close working links between NES and the media in educating the public on environment-related issues. Mr Damane pointed out that the media has been identified as a strategic partner in this regard, because of its role of informing and educating the people, more so because environmental concerns affect all people. He said it is therefore the responsibility of the media to hold governments accountable to their policies in line with international conventions they enter into. Journalists who took part in the workshop called on NES to cut down on the red tape that normally sees officials reluctant to provide the media with the information they need. Both parties agreed on the need to form a very strong and consistent working relationship to enhance the dissemination of information on the environment, something which they conceded receives minimal coverage in the media. The NCSA is a process designed by the Global Environment facility to provide countries with the opportunity to identify priority capacity building needs as they respond to global environmental obligations contained in the multi-lateral environmental agreements. The process has a unique focus on potential synergies and cross-cutting dimensions of capacity issues across these conventions. It presents Lesotho with an opportunity to explore the interface between the national sustainable development priorities and global environmental management commitments.
	Source: LENA