MISA Lesotho

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 report was officially launched a few weeks ago, and as MISA Lesotho, we are now sharing the vital regional and local insights from this comprehensive study with you!

Commissioned by the Media Institute of Southern Africa - MISA Regional , the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the media landscape across 11 countries. It highlights a region experiencing a regression in freedom of expression, characterized by structural constraints, political interference, and emerging digital threats.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
Media Viability Crisis: A "market failure" is threatening the region's journalism as advertising revenue shifts from local newsrooms to global tech giants like Google and Meta, creating "news deserts."

Expansion of Surveillance: There is a rising regional trend of governments enacting cybersecurity and data protection laws that, while intended for safety, are frequently used to monitor journalists and stifle freedom of expression.

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨: 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
Legal Reform Stalemate: Implementation of major media reforms, including the establishment of a Media Council and Ombudsman, is still on hold..

Financial Dependency: Lesotho’s media remains economically fragile and heavily reliant on government advertising..

Safety and Intimidation: A "climate of fear" and self-censorship persist in the sector, fueled by unresolved past murders of broadcasters and instances of physical assault and online harassment against journalists.

Click the link below to read the full report and find more details on the state of media in our region:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sTt1Weiz1ftZo9y13FGhQNBcLUvm2WWK/view

🎤𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐱 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲?

🇱🇸 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐥𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨'𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐰

Lesotho has successfully completed its first fully digital Lesotho Population and Housing Census 2026, marking a major technological milestone in the country's statistical journey.

During a recent Census Stakeholder Meeting, concerns were raised about some of the emerging trends reflected in the data, prompting an important question:

𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑦?

This article examines the implications of Lesotho's 2026 Digital Census and the challenges posed by the absence of a comprehensive Access to Information law.

📖 Read the full article here: https://lesotho.misa.org/2026/06/12/from-pitsos-to-pixels-why-lesothos-2026-digital-census-needs-an-access-to-information-law/

💬 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚, 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬? 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

From Lipitso to Pixels: Why Lesotho’s 2026 Digital Census Needs an Access to Information Law Lesotho’s first fully digital census has revealed surprising realities about the country’s population, but questions remain about public access to the data. As the nation embraces digit…

🤝 𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

At MISA Lesotho, we often say that media freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information cannot be advanced by one organisation alone. They require collaboration, trust, dialogue, and a shared commitment to building a stronger and more informed society.

Today, we would like to take a moment to sincerely thank our partners, stakeholders, supporters, and friends who continue to think of MISA Lesotho and the broader media fraternity when developing programmes, initiatives, trainings, consultations, and public engagements.

Over the past months, we have had the privilege of participating in and contributing to a wide range of important initiatives... from the WHO Lesotho Media Training on Reporting Health: Right-Standing with Science, UNFPA Lesotho engagements, the Digital Innovators Summit (DIS2026), World Vision International Lesotho's Media Training on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Child Labour, and IEC Lesotho's Civic and Voter Education programmes, to the continued support and engagement of organisations such as Lesotho National Commission for Unesco, AHF Lesotho, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Limkokwing Lesotho), Vodacom Lesotho, Standard Lesotho Bank, Institute of Directors of Lesotho, Econet Telecom Lesotho - ETL, Metropolitan Lesotho, NECDOL, the Ministry Of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Health and Finance, and many others.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Revenue Services Lesotho for their unwavering support of MISA Lesotho through initiatives such as our Media Awards and Press Clubs, as well as their continued recognition of the important role that the media plays in society.

Every invitation extended to MISA Lesotho is more than an invitation to attend an event. It is an opportunity to learn, contribute, build relationships, share expertise, and ensure that the voice of the media sector is represented in conversations that matter.

These engagements continue to shape our thinking, strengthen our work, and inform the direction we take as an organisation and media professionals. More importantly, they reaffirm the important role that the media plays in advancing democracy, development, accountability, public health, innovation, human rights, and citizen participation.

On behalf of the MISA Lesotho Secretariat, National Governing Council, and our members, we would like to say:

𝐑𝐞𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐡𝐚. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

🔹Thank you for recognising the importance of the media.

🔹Thank you for including journalists and media practitioners in your initiatives.

🔹Thank you for investing in knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and meaningful dialogue.

🔹Thank you for believing that strong partnerships create stronger institutions and stronger communities.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to working alongside all our partners and stakeholders to build a vibrant media ecosystem, a well-informed public, and a more democratic, inclusive, and resilient Lesotho.

We look forward to strengthening existing partnerships, building new ones, and continuing this important journey together.

𝑅𝑒𝑎 𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑜ℎ𝑎 ℎ𝑎ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑜.

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 - 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐅𝐀𝐐𝐬)

𝐐𝟏: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨?

Established in 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟔, MISA Lesotho is a non-governmental, non-profit, member-driven organization dedicated to defending media freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information in Lesotho. Operating in conformity with the historic 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟏 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, MISA Lesotho works to foster an independent, pluralistic, and highly professional media landscape. We are a national chapter of the regional MISA network, which actively monitors and champions media rights across 11 SADC countries. Our governance structure is democratically run through our Annual General Meeting (AGM), an elected National Governing Council (NGC), and the operational Secretariat.

𝐐𝟐: 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨?

We welcome individuals and corporate entities who are passionate about media ethics and freedom of expression. Membership is split into two straightforward tracks:

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Open to media practitioners including journalists, publishers, editors, reporters, researchers, academics, students, and active freedom of expression or access to information advocates.

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Open to independent, community, or commercial media organizations and institutions looking to strengthen the local sector.

(𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝐼𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑒, 𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔.)

𝐐𝟑: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐬?

The official, factual fee breakdown is as follows:

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: M100.00 for initial registration, then M50.00 for the annual subscription fee.

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: M400.00 for initial registration, then M200.00 for the annual subscription fee.

𝐐𝟒: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩?

We don't believe in burying our applicants under a mountain of paperwork. Our application process is incredibly quick and simple:

1. 𝐏𝐚𝐲 your registration and subscription fee.
2. 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 your proof of payment directly to our designated contact number at +266 56263452.
3. 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭 the short online membership form provided to you once your payment is confirmed.

Once these steps are complete, you immediately join the ranks of the best of the best in Lesotho’s media space.

𝐐𝟓: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

You do 𝐧𝐨𝐭 need to submit complex CVs, academic qualifications, or passport photos. The only requirements are:

* Your completed online membership form.
* A clear copy or screenshot of your proof of payment.

𝐐𝟔: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

Everything you need can be accessed directly from your phone. Simply call or text us at (+𝟐𝟔𝟔) 𝟓𝟔𝟐𝟔𝟑𝟒𝟓𝟐 to request the online application form link, get our banking details, or ask any other operational questions you might have.

𝐐𝟕: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫?

🔹𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Direct access to specialized media workshops, media literacy initiatives, and investigative journalism training.

🔹𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Connect with local editors, media professionals, and international media development partners across the SADC region.

🔹𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 & 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Stand protected under an organization that actively monitors media violations, offers support, and fights for constitutional press protections.

🔹𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Gain full eligibility to vote or be elected to the MISA Lesotho National Governing Council during our AGM.

𝐐𝟖: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨?

Joining MISA Lesotho means becoming part of a highly respected community that acts as the shield and voice of Lesotho’s media sector. By joining, you are directly investing in an environment where information flows freely, media professionals are celebrated, and independent journalism thrives.

𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
Accountant - Democracy & Electoral Governance Project

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Maseru, Lesotho

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞:
Full-time, Project-Based Contract (12 Months, with possibility of renewal)

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞:
Sunday, 7 June 2026

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭
MISA Lesotho is implementing a governance and media development project focused on strengthening ethical election reporting, civic participation, media accountability, and democratic engagement in Lesotho.

To support effective implementation and financial accountability of the project, MISA Lesotho invites applications from qualified, organised, and detail-oriented individuals for the position of Accountant.

𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
The Accountant will support the financial management, reporting, compliance, and accountability requirements of the project. The successful candidate will work closely with the project team to ensure accurate financial record keeping, budget tracking, transaction processing, and donor compliance.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
The Accountant will be responsible for:
🔹Managing day-to-day project financial transactions and documentation
🔹Maintaining accurate accounting records and reconciliations
🔹Supporting budget monitoring and expenditure tracking
🔹Preparing financial reports and supporting audits
🔹Managing petty cash and payment processing
🔹Supporting donor compliance and financial reporting requirements
🔹Ensuring compliance with MISA Lesotho financial procedures
🔹Assisting with procurement and administrative processes related to project implementation
🔹Supporting the Head of Administration with finance and operational tasks where required
🔹Maintaining organised financial and administrative filing systems, both physical and digital
🔹Assisting with logistical and operational preparations for project activities, trainings, and meetings where necessary
🔹Performing other finance and administration-related duties reasonably assigned within the scope of the position

Qualifications & Experience
Applicants should possess:
🔹Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
🔹Minimum of 2 years relevant accounting or finance experience
🔹Experience working on donor-funded projects will be an added advantage
🔹Strong knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management principles
🔹Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and digital financial systems
🔹Strong organisational and time-management skills
🔹High levels of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
🔹Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small team environment

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

Interested applicants must complete the official online application form using the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScR9-FahXWmHZVuIoFlQtO9O8V4noZM13P4kdSVsQkIPTEe4w/viewform?usp=header

Applicants will be required to upload:
🔹CV
🔹Certified qualifications
🔹Certified ID/Passport
🔹Short motivation statement

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

📊 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧!

Last Friday, MISA Lesotho had the privilege of hosting a special data briefing by a representative from Afrobarometer, Mme Libuseng Malefane, launching critical insights from their latest pan-African report.

The presentation, as well as the discussions that followed, were insightful, important, and illuminating. Bringing together journalists, editors and media practitioners to dissect data compiled from over 50,000 interviews across 38 African countries gave us a clear, grounded look at the shifting realities of our industry.

Key data pillars that sparked intense dialogue included:

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭: Analyzing how online media platforms are gradually displacing traditional channels, and what the slow decline of radio's long-standing dominance means for regional broadcasting.

𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Unpacking the powerful reality that 72% of citizens firmly support the media’s role in holding governments to account.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱: A deep dive into the highly mixed public perceptions regarding whether true press freedom is actually being protected or quietly subjected to government interference and censorship.

A major thank you to the 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 team and to 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, challenged the numbers, and contributed to the room's energy.

𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑜.

In the spirit of celebrating ⩓𝕗ℾ𝕚⋐𝕒 𝔻⋒𝕪.... 🪘🪇🎨🎤🎹 no, we have not forgotten. 🇱🇸🌍

Last week Friday, 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨, in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation - AHF Lesotho, hosted the MISA Lesotho Press Club at the MISA Lesotho offices in Maseru under the theme: “𝑇𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑.”

The gathering brought together journalists, media practitioners, and communication professionals for an afternoon of networking, reflection, and important discussions on journalist wellbeing, media sustainability, public health advocacy, and the future of the media sector in Lesotho.

The engagement also comes in light of the upcoming 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒚𝒈𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚 commemorations observed globally on 28 𝑴𝒂𝒚.. highlighting the importance of dignity, access, awareness, and inclusive public conversations around menstrual health.

As MISA Lesotho continues working toward rebuilding media solidarity and strengthening institutional partnerships, platforms such as the Press Club remain important spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and community-building within the media industry.

We would like to sincerely thank 𝐀𝐇𝐅 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨 for supporting this initiative and all members who attended and contributed to the discussions.

Rea Leboha!!

📍 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨.
𝑇𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑤𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑚, 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑜.

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 🎉💐✨

Yesterday, MISA Lesotho, in partnership with Econet Telecom Lesotho - ETL, hosted a Media Solidarity Breakfast meeting to commemorate 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲 and honor long-serving veteran journalists.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Econet Lesotho for their partnership and for giving the MISA Lesotho membership the opportunity to nominate their media heroes. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to defending media freedom, advancing digital empowerment, and ensuring access to information across the nation.

Congratulations to all the awardees, and thank you for your unwavering dedication, professionalism, and invaluable contributions to shaping Lesotho’s media landscape over the years.

📸 Picture credits:

98.9/106.4Mhz
Reporter: Molefi Ramarothole.

📢 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏 & 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐑

MISA Lesotho, in collaboration with under the AECFL Project, invites ALL media practitioners across Lesotho to an intensive two-day training workshop focused on reporting Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Child Labour.

📍 WHERE: Thaba Bosiu Cultral Village

📅 WHEN:
• Phase 1: 19th -20th May, 2026
• Phase 2: 27th - 28th May, 2026

COST: FULLY SPONSORED (Includes transport, accommodation, and meals)

WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS:
Trafficking and child labour are complex issues that require more than just "breaking news" coverage. This workshop is vital because:

🔹 Empowers Ethical Storytelling: Learn how to report on vulnerable victims without causing further harm or compromising their safety.
🔹 Deepens Legal Understanding: Gain expert insights into Lesotho’s laws and the AECFL project goals to make your reporting more authoritative.
🔹 Drives Social Impact: Move beyond the surface to write high-impact stories that influence policy and protect children in our communities.

WHO CAN APPLY?
This training is OPEN TO ALL MEDIA PROFESSIONALS. You do NOT need to be a member of MISA Lesotho to apply. We welcome reporters, editors, freelance journalists, and digital content creators from all districts, who have not had this training before.

🔗 REGISTER:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScO-Xwd0Z-XmNxyjdQYcV8S4htD8241nIDlkwaDJn3vT6Zj1g/viewform?usp=header

Deadline for Registrations: 15th May 2026

Let’s work together to eliminate forced labour through the power of the pen and the lens. ✍️📸

𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞


Today, on 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, we recognise the journalists, editors, photographers, producers, camera crews, fact-checkers, and media workers who help society make sense of the world every day.

This year’s global observance reminds us that press freedom must be protected in a changing media environment shaped by technology, economic pressure, disinformation, and evolving public trust. Strong journalism remains essential to democracy, accountability, and informed communities.

To every journalist working under pressure, chasing deadlines, covering difficult stories, travelling long distances, facing criticism, or continuing despite limited resources:

𝑾𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑾𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑾𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

In Lesotho, journalism continues to matter deeply. Every accurate story, every verified fact, every voice given space, and every issue brought into the public eye strengthens our decision making as a nation.

At MISA Lesotho, we reaffirm our commitment to media freedom, ethical journalism, journalist safety, professional growth, and a media sector that can thrive.

Now tag your favourite journalist below and tell us why they are your favourite.
Let’s give journalists their flowers.. loudly, proudly, and publicly.