Lesotho: Journalism Needs to be Professionalized

Journalism is a noble vocation with ethics, according to the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), and all registered media outlets should provide training for journalists in accordance with the Broadcasting Code, 2022.

This was announced at a news conference held at the LCA on Friday.

Mr. Nizam Goolam, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), stated that the purpose of the press conference was to address media platforms’ confusion over the Broadcasting Code, 2022 regulation 5, which is advantageous to both the media and the public.

According to Mr. Goolam, the Broadcasting Code of 2022, which went into effect on April 14, 2022, media firms that hire journalists without journalism qualifications must provide six months of training, while editors must provide two years of training.

He went on to say that individuals hired following training should have journalism degrees from a registered and recognized institution, as well as editorial personnel who have certification verifying journalistic training of at least two years from a registered and recognized college or university.

Mr. Goolam stated, “Any program’s presenter should have control over the presentation, and for this to happen, they must have journalism ethics, thus training for journalists is crucial.”

Adv. Tankiso Mohobo, also from LCA Regulatory Affairs, said LCA will supervise the program throughout its duration to ensure its success.

He stated that the LCA will continue to meet with media outlets on a regular basis to ensure that they follow the rules and regulations, as well as to learn more about them.

Adv. Thato Ponya, Chief Regulatory Officer at LCA, responded to inquiries by saying that all media houses were told about the Broadcasting Code before it was gazetted and that it was not true that they were not consulted about the code.

All media houses were represented at the National Reform Authority (NRA), where media policy was presented to NRA members, he said.

He went on to say that journalism, like any other profession in the country, deserves to be respected and that it should be mandated in accordance with its ethics.

He mentioned that the Authority has Statutory power to regulate telecommunications, broadcasting and postal services; collectively referred to as the communications sector hence the Authority has the power among others to set standards that regulate communication sectors in order to regulate and grow the sector.

In conclusion, he said LCA supports this law because it is for the common good and what Basotho wants.

The Broadcasting Code, 2022 states that a broadcaster shall recruit and retain: (a) presenters who have certification confirming journalistic training of no less than 6 months of continuous training from a registered and recognized institution and (b) editorial staff who have certification confirming training of no less than two years.