Journalism and democracy in post independent Lesotho: the challenge ahead

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Periodical article

Title:	Journalism and democracy in post independent Lesotho: the challenge ahead
Author:	Antwi, Ransford
Year:	1997
Periodical:	Lesotho Law Journal: A Journal of Law and Development
Volume:	10
Issue:	2
Pages:	225-241
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Lesotho
Subjects:	journalism democracy
Abstract:	The people of Lesotho have had a turbulent political history. The endemic nature of political explosions can be partly traced to deficiencies in the system of public education and awareness that is usually anchored in a nation's mass media. The media in Lesotho have not anticipated and explained issues of national concern. At the same time, both poverty and illiteracy undermine the country's media experience. The integrity and credibility of the media in Lesotho are low. The content of the media is skewed to providing entertainment rather than political education. One way of resolving this problem is for producers of political and civic educational programmes to incorporate entertainment-education approaches in their programming. It is time for journalists to play a more positive role in the society and serve the cause of democracy by providing peace-building services and undertaking the leadership role required of them in addition to their traditional role of reporting on events. Notes, ref.