The Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mr. Mothetjoa Metsing has expressed need for local members of the press to be part of the world to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day.

Minister Metsing was speaking at the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day held in Mafeteng on Tuesday. He said the government of Lesotho supports freedom of the press in the country, hence the establishment of private radio stations and newspapers in Lesotho.

He noted that the Lesotho Government through the Ministry of Communications encourages the media to take part in developing the country’s economic growth as well as to fight hunger and poverty facing the country.

Therefore, he refuted allegations that government encourages separation of media houses and that it favours others (media houses), noting that media are important as they play a crucial role in promoting the country’s development or its collapse.

He therefore appealed to media houses in the country to work together with the government to advance freedom of the press for the benefit of the Basotho nation.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Chairperson of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Lesotho Chapter, Mr. Peter Potjo said the day is marked worldwide in honour of all members of the press, who were assaulted and died while performing their duty.

Mr. Potjo appealed to the Lesotho Government to establish Media Council and speed up enactment of media policy that will promote coordination of media houses and discussions pertaining to issues concerning member of the press.

Delivering message of the UNESCO Director General, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, the Science Programme Coordinator of the Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO, Mrs. Bontle Ntsoaole said UNESCO pays tribute to the courage and professionalism of many journalists and media professionals killed and wounded while on duty.

She said "Press freedom and access to information fit into the wider development objective of empowering people by giving them information that could help them gain control over their lives".

On the other hand, the Transformation Resource Center (TRC) representative, Mr. Liabile Mofolo said it is the right of the public to access information, hence commended the Lesotho Government for liberalising the airwaves that led to the establishment of private radio stations in the country.

World Press Freedom Day is commemorated annually on May 03 in 193 countries that include Lesotho, with the aim to promote press freedom.

Source: LENA 06/05/2008