The National Assembly on Thursday adopted the portfolio committee on Prime Minister's Ministries and Departments Cluster on Lesotho Communications Authority rules, 2008 report.

The report was submitted by the leader of the committee, Mr. Hlonepho Nts'ekhe.

Among other issues, the report stipulates that the new licensing fees were aligned with the 2007 Broadcasting classification, which has introduced four categories of public, private, commercial and community broadcasters.

It also stipulates that the new fees structure has introduced licensing radio cross border services used mainly by transport companies throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

'The new fees structure introduces a five year license for radio amateur and removes annual license fees, which were applicable in the old fees structure,' he highlighted.

However, Mr. Nts'ekhe noted that in the new structure, Tele-bureaus and Internet Cafe services have been deregulated and this means that they are no more required to pay any fees to the Authority.

He pointed out that this is envisioned to increase the number of Tele-bureaus and Internet Cafes, adding that statistics will be obtained from the respective network operators.

Speaking over the proposed motion, a member of that portfolio committee, Mr. Mootsi Lehata said as Members of Parliament, they are now fully aware of rules and regulations governing media in the country.

He made an example with private radio station owners who sometimes bridge their contracts and when penalised by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) by disconnecting their transmitters, complain that they have been disconnected illegally, while they know that they have not complied with the regulations.

On the other hand, Mr. Motumi Ralejoe said during the consultations, they sought the assistance of LCA experts, who simplified their work hence they came up with the report.

The report was passed without objections and the National Assembly has adopted the new system of issues being discussed by relevant parliamentary portfolio committees before being debated in the House.

However, it is the discretion of the Members of the House whether to adopt or reject reports made by portfolio committees if they are not satisfied with their inputs or seek clarifications where necessary.

The committee consists of 18 members from various political parties in the Parliament. This is the first committee to report to the House since the new system was introduced this year.

Source: LENA 28/02/2008