LESOTHO: The APPN Lesotho Caucus has appealed to the Lesotho Senate to provide the media with prompt and transparent information on their activities in order to improve media reportage of the Senate.
According to the Dean of the APPN Lesotho Caucus, Mr. Thoboloko Nts’onyane, “This information should include details of Members of the Senate and their respective Committees, the Order Paper, members representing Lesotho in international and regional parliaments and organisations, voting records, and any other parliamentary information that the public has the right to access”.
He stressed that Parliamentary information is vital for the public to stay informed about the laws being passed on their behalf, the work of committees, and their oversight of public institutions, as these matters directly affect citizens. “It is our duty to ensure that this information is disseminated through credible and trustworthy reporting across various media platforms, including newspapers, radio, online platforms, social media, and television,” he added.
Mr. Nts’onyane made these remarks during the introductory meeting between the APPN and the leadership of the Lesotho Caucus on Monday, at the Senate.
“Freedom of the press is fundamental to democracy. It must therefore be emphasised that, in carrying out its duty, the media should be protected and respected by Parliament, as it operates impartially and without fear, favour, or prejudice. As we embark on this partnership with the Senate, it is important to acknowledge that the media’s responsibility is to maintain truth and professionalism in their reporting, even when doing so critically. We trust that Honourable Members will be informed about this relationship and the role of the media”.
Mr. Nts’onyane pointed out that the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) Lesotho, represent parliamentary journalists, and their mandate is, among other things, to bridge the information gap between Parliament and the public, as the latter has the right to know, adding that, “The media plays a crucial role in reporting parliamentary activities to the nation, ensuring that proceedings remain open and accessible for public scrutiny within a democratic dispensation such as Lesotho”.
He emphasized that this partnership could not have come at a more opportune time, providing an avenue to address challenges in their work and manage expectations for a harmonious working relationship. “It is worth noting that, generally, the relationship between the Senate and the media is positive, though it requires continuous improvement and nurturing. While Senate proceedings- including committee sittings- are open to both public and private media, financial constraints prevent many media houses from covering committee fieldwork, oversight visits, and public hearings”.
The APPN Lesotho recognised that some journalists or media houses may, at times, fall short in fulfilling their mandate, but encouraged the Senate to report such matters to the APPN for redress. “This enables us to intervene where necessary, as we have done previously with the National Assembly. It is unfair to tarnish the entire media fraternity due to the conduct of one journalist or media house and we urge that any concerns be addressed with specificity.In cases where media access to proceedings is suspended, the reasons for such decisions should be clearly stated,” Mr. Nts’onyane, appealed.
Meanwhile, the Senate Vice-President Hon Tsukutlane Au emphasized that the Senate’s Strategic Plan underscores the importance of collaboration between the Senate and the media to ensure that parliamentary proceedings are accessible to the public.
He commended the partnership between the Senate and the APPN Lesotho, noting that their Strategic Plan includes key initiatives such as media sensitization, structured media engagement, and orientation on the Senate’s functions.
