Freedom of the Press
Lesotho
2002 Scores
Press Status
Partly Free
Press Freedom Score (0 = best, 100 = worst)
46
Legal Environment(0 = best, 30 = worst)
13
Political Environment(0 = best, 40 = worst)
15
Economic Environment(0 = best, 30 = worst)
18
Constitutional provisions for press freedom are generally respected, though journalists occasionally suffer harassment and attacks. There are several independent newspapers, including Christian publications and four English-language weeklies that freely criticize the government. There are four private radio stations but no local television. The state-controlled print and broadcast media reflect only government views. South African radio and television broadcasts reach Lesotho.