…to strengthen press freedom
Ithabeleng Qhasho
JOURNALISTS and the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) have pledged to strengthen their working relationship following a media safety workshop aimed at promoting press freedom, protecting human rights and fostering greater cooperation between the media and security institutions.
The workshop, held this week and organised by Sesotho Media and Development (SM&D) under its two-year Enhancing Freedom of Expression and Press Freedom in Lesotho project, brought together journalists and correctional officers to discuss challenges affecting media freedom, journalist safety and access to information.
Opening the workshop, SM&D Executive Director, Mamolefe Petlane, said stronger cooperation between journalists and security institutions is essential to safeguarding democracy.
She said journalists in Lesotho continue to face intimidation, physical violence, legal harassment, digital surveillance and widespread self-censorship, citing findings from the project’s baseline assessment.
According to the assessment, Lesotho ranks 107th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, with attacks and intimidation against journalists remaining common.
“When the media cannot investigate corruption and abuse of power, democracy is weakened,” Ms Petlane said.
She also cited the murder of journalist, Ralikonelo Jok,i in May 2023, as well as the August 2025 arrest of the Lesotho Times editor, Mohalenyane Phakela, by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO), as reminders of the dangers faced by media practitioners and the need to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists.
Ms Petlane welcomed the Tenth Constitutional Amendment, saying it presents a historic opportunity to strengthen media freedom through the establishment of the Media Council and the Media Ombudsman.
She said the project seeks to build partnerships rather than confrontation by engaging security institutions as key stakeholders in promoting accountability and freedom of expression.
As part of the initiative, representatives from the media, security agencies and civil society organisations are expected to meet on 28 July to establish the Media Protection and Accountability Task Force (MPATF), which will oversee the implementation of recommendations emerging from the project.
Ms Petlane noted that correctional facilities are often overlooked in discussions on journalist safety, despite the important role journalists play in informing the public about prison conditions, inmates’ welfare and the administration of justice.
While acknowledging challenges within the LCS, including overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure and limited resources, she said these issues should be addressed through dialogue and cooperation.
The workshop also heard a call for journalists to play a more active role in protecting human rights through their reporting.
SM&D legal expert, Advocate Tšepo Phillip Lipholo, said the Constitution guarantees the rights of every person, including prisoners, stressing that journalists have a duty to expose human rights violations and hold institutions accountable.
He said independent journalism was essential in ensuring that public institutions respect the rights and dignity of all citizens.
During discussions, representatives of the media and the LCS acknowledged that misunderstandings have at times strained relations between the two sectors. Both parties committed to improving communication and working together to promote transparency, human rights and freedom of expression.
For his part, LCS spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Pheko Ntobane, thanked SM&D for organising the workshop, describing it as an important platform for strengthening relations between the media and the correctional service.
AS Ntobane said the recommendations emerging from the discussions would be submitted to LCS management for consideration, expressing confidence that they would help shape and strengthen the institution’s approach to media engagement.
He also encouraged journalists to broaden the scope of their reporting by undertaking more in-depth research that highlights not only the challenges faced by inmates but also the working conditions, responsibilities and experiences of correctional officers.
AS Ntobane said balanced and well-researched reporting would foster greater public understanding of the correctional system while promoting constructive engagement between the media and the LCS.
Speaking after the workshop, veteran journalist, Boitumelo Koloi, described the engagement as an important step towards improving relations between the media and security agencies.
“I’d say the training is quite helpful in that it’s a step in the right direction towards bridging the divide between the media and the security agencies,” Mr Koloi said.
He said while the initiative was commendable, future workshops should allow more time for deeper discussions on issues affecting both sectors.
Mr Koloi expressed hope that the recommendations emerging from the engagements would be implemented by decision-makers, saying they have the potential to create a better working environment for both journalists and security agencies.
He added that the training would ultimately contribute to improved reporting on national security issues while strengthening mutual understanding between the media and security institutions.
