Lesotho / Africa

  

Lesotho journalist Ralikonelo Joki killed after radio show 

Lusaka, May 15, 2023—Lesotho authorities must launch a credible investigation into the killing of journalist Ralikonelo ‘Leqhashasha’ Joki and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.  Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, an unknown number of people shot Joki in the head once and body at least 13 times as…

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Lesotho police arrest a radio presenter, suspend one station’s license, and raid another

Lusaka, December 14, 2021 — Authorities in Lesotho must stop their sustained efforts to gag the press and should allow journalists to operate freely without fear of arrest or being forced to disclose their sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On November 14, police arrested and allegedly tried to suffocate Lebese Molati, a…

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CPJ calls on SADC heads of state to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists

CPJ writes to the executive secretary and heads of state of the Southern African Development Community ahead of the 39th Ordinary Summit, urging them to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists in SADC.

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Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane casts his vote in Maseru, Lesotho, on February 28, 2015. Lesotho's military spokesman threatened an investigative journalist over her reporting in a December 5, 2018, letter. (AP Photo)

Lesotho military spokesman threatens investigative journalist

New York, December 21, 2018–Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane must repudiate threats made by the military against Lesotho Times investigative journalist Pascalinah Kabi and ensure that the press can function without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, center, First Lady Maesaea Thabane, and King Letsie III are pictured during Thabane's inauguration on June 16, 2017 in Maseru. MoAfrika FM has reported critically on the prime minister and his wife. (Samson Motikoe/AFP)

Lesotho authorities accuse MoAfrika FM of incitement for critical reports

Nairobi, August 15, 2018– Authorities in Lesotho should immediately withdraw a baseless complaint of incitement against the privately owned MoAfrika FM radio station and cease trying to intimidate critical journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A woman casts her ballot in general elections at a polling station in the village of Nyakosoba, Lesotho, on June 3, 2017. Lesotho's Constitutional Court declared criminal defamation unconstitutional on May 21, 2018. (Gianluigi Guercia/AFP)

Lesotho Constitutional Court declares criminal defamation unconstitutional

New York, May 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed yesterday’s ruling by Lesotho’s Constitutional Court that criminal defamation is unconstitutional, calling it a significant step toward safeguarding press freedom in the country.

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Lesotho editor in critical condition after shooting

New York, July 13, 2016 – Lesotho authorities should launch a credible investigation into the shooting of veteran editor Lloyd Mutungamiri and bring all those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mutungamiri is in critical condition in a hospital in South Africa, his employer told CPJ today.

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Radio stations briefly jammed in Lesotho amid attempted coup

On August 30, 2014, the Lesotho military took control of police headquarters, jammed radio and television stations as well as telephone lines, and handed control of the tiny landlocked country to its deputy prime minister, according to news reports. Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled to safety in South Africa for four days.

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Attacks on the Press in 2008: Africa Developments

Angola | Burundi Central African Republic| Chad | Gabon| Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Ivory Coast | Lesotho | Nigeria | Republic of Congo| Sierra Leone | South Africa | Togo ANGOLA • Three journalists for national state broadcaster Rádio Nacional de Angola were suspended indefinitely in October after questioning President José dos Santos’…

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Lesotho: CPJ condemns suspension of private radio station

New York, July 28, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the decision by the Lesotho Communications Authority last week to suspend private radio broadcaster Harvest FM for three months. The decision to suspend the award-winning station on July 21 follows defamation complaints lodged separately by the principal secretary in the Ministry of Communications and the…

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