OPENING REMARKS OF THE HON. MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR. MOTHETJOA METSING AT A WORKSHOP ON THE ROLE OF BROADCASTING IN A DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION, LESOTHO SUN, 24TH AUGUST 2007

His Majesty King Letsie III
The Right Honourable, the Prime Minister
The Principal Secretary,
Chairman of the LTA Board and Board Members
Chief Executive and LTA Executive
Prof. Van Rooyen
Broadcasters and members of the media fraternity
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, the dual broadcasting media of radio and television plays a crucial role in shaping most peoples’ lives. We rely on them daily for news and information that shape our views and perceptions, on political, economic and social issues. These are but a few examples of the roles that the broadcast media plays in modern societies, Lesotho included. In fact it is argued that broadcasting as well as telecommunications facilities remain key strategic sectors in any economy.

Since Lesotho’s return to democracy fourteen (14) years ago, the landscape of our broadcasting sector has changed quite significantly. Our airwaves used to be dominated by Radio Lesotho but now we have diversity in the ownership and running of broadcast media stations with private stations that were licensed. It is worth noting that this only happened in the past ten years when the democratic Government started to liberalise a number of sectors in the country. We hope to conclude the media liberalisation process by the transformation of the state broadcaster into a public sector broadcaster which we are currently working on.

As Government, we regard the electronic media sector as an important role player which should ensure that national interests and concerns are addressed. It must promote freedom of expression, media diversity, media freedom, independence, self-sufficiency and pluralism.

As you are all aware, these noble ideals are however not without challenges. Our country only returned to a democratic dispensation in 1993. As a young democracy, it is faced with many political, economic and social challenges. We should all join hands to nurture this democracy, as a stable, peaceful and an economically sound country is good for all of us. It is our fervent belief that the media will play a positive role in deepening our democracy.

When government started the liberalisation process, there was no proper legislation in place. At that time we did not even have the regulator in place. It is pleasing to note that the necessary structures are in place to guide us to march in the right direction. I also hope that LTA will ensure that license conditions and code of practice are adhered to, and that the action against the violators is taken.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The licence conditions of broadcasters as well as the Broadcasting Rules of 2004, clearly state the code of practice for the broadcasters. It is the incumbent for each and every broadcaster to observe these conditions and codes of conduct to the letter. It is my belief that this workshop will reinforce this requisite conduct among all stakeholders. I have been informed that your workshop will, among others, cover such topics as: accurate and impartial broadcasting, avoidance of public incitement, the right to reply by aggrieved party or parties, broadcasters’ and listeners’ right to appeal, as well as the role of the regulator.

Following this workshop, we hope to observe a positive change in the quality of content of our broadcasting stations. It is not the role of Government to prescribe content to broadcasters neither is the responsibility of the Regulator to dictate to broadcasters what content to broadcast but we hope that broadcasters will cover issues of national interest. Most importantly, we hope to notice objectivity and impartiality in the coverage of issues, reporting of factual and well-researched news, good taste and decency in programmes, use of proper and acceptable language, promotion of national building and avoidance of divisive issues and those which glorifies violence or may likely incite crime or lead to public disorder. Broadcasters should not discriminate anyone on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, religion, culture or political affiliation.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I wish to thank the Lesotho Telecommunications Authority for organising and sponsoring this important workshop, which will strengthen the standards of broadcasting in Lesotho. I also like to thank our distinguished resource person, Prof. Kobus van Rooyen for making time to be with us today to share his wealth of experience and knowledge in the broadcasting sector. The broadcasters and other stakeholders together with the members of LTA board also deserve a vote of thanks for having made time to attend this important workshop.

It is now my singular honour to declare this “Workshop on the Role of Broadcasting in a Democratic Dispensation” officially opened.

Khotso, Pula, Nala!