As Lesotho's general election passed without incident this weekend, media workers were hoping a new administration will once again focus on the need for a media
policy, writes Mzimkhulu Sithetho.
Parliament closed sooner than expected in November when an early election was called. At the time, a cabinet paper on the Media Policy Bill had just been prepared during the tenure of the former Minister of Communications, Thomas Thabane .
Media practitioners and journalists had been looking forward to a law that would regulate the media industry.
After many years without a media policy, Thabane finally met media owners, journalists and communications officials as well as the Lesotho chapter of the MISA in August 2006 to finalise the media policy draft.
Concern from most journalists is now that the tedious and demanding process of drafting the media policy will have to start from scratch.
It is also uncertain who will succeed Thabane as communications minister.
