Ban against media from covering parliamentary debates lifted
(MISA/IFEX) – The Lesotho Speaker of parliament has lifted an order banning the media from covering parliamentary debates, reports the Media Institute of Lesotho (MILES). Speaker Dr. Teboho Kolane lifted the ban on 15 September 1997. Although he did not give reasons for lifting the ban, MILES believes Kolane’s decision was in response to mounting […]
Cabinet orders withdrawal of advertising from “Mo- Afrika” over the newspaper’s “negative stance” toward the government
Lesotho’s government has issued a circular prohibiting all its ministries, departments, institutions and parastatals from placing advertisements in “Mo-Afrika”, a privately-owned weekly. According to the circular, cabinet arrived at the decision at its caucus meeting on 23 July 1996, after which it issued a directive saying that “no advertising shall be done through Mo-Afrika because […]
Radio Lesotho journalist Mamonyane Matsa’ba demoted
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 April,14 March and 24 January 1996** Speaking to MISA on 6 August, Matsa’ba said the commission’s decision was “worrying….I was shocked at the judgement. I thought as a journalist, I was doing my job.” Matsa’ba said the commission has also “warned me not to make any mistake in the six […]
Journalist found guilty, gets demoted
On July 30, the Public Service Commission in Lesotho found guilty and demoted Mamonyane Matsa’ba, a journalist working for the state-run radio. MISA-Lesotho acting Chairperson, Bethuel Thai, reported on August 5, that the Commission found Matsa’ba guilty of “disobeying and disregarding” in November last year an order prohibiting journalists from broadcasting a recorded opposition statement. […]
Parliament approves motion for a press council
Speaker of the Lesotho National Assembly John Kolane has said that Parliament approved in February 1996 a motion “to encourage the local media [to] establish a press council.” Kolane said that Parliament believes the motion will “ensure that newspapers in the country adhere to journalism ethics.” The National Assembly passed the motion on 16 February […]
Case of Mamonyane Matsa’ba postponed indefinitely
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 14 March and 24 January 1996** The disciplinary case against journalist Mamonyane Matsa’ba has been postponed “indefinitely.” However, it seems that this latest delay in Matsa’ba’s case will have “bad effects” on the journalist. “The pending case is haunting her…and it serves as a censorship,” said MISA-Lesotho Chairperson Bethuel Thai, adding […]