THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA to information is key to meaningful participation in the political process. Some of the key aspects of its purpose is wealth creation, increase in ICT literacy in the country and empowerment of local participation of Basotho in the ICT sector. 81. In 2014, the government launched a Radio Frequency Spectrum Management Policy which clears a way for the implementation of innovative technological developments in line with its information access and dissemination objectives. State of media freedom in Lesotho 82. Generally there is a wide consensus on the acceptance of freedom of speech. Media has played a key role in the advancement of freedom of speech in Lesotho since the media is often a platform of exchange of ideas and opinions which form the bedrock of this freedom. Lesotho has several independent newspapers which operate freely despite being often seen as critical of the government. There are more than 10 commercial radio broadcasters and two state run radio stations. There is one state-owned television broadcaster. 83. Social media such as Facebook, twitter and instagram are available in Lesotho. These are freely accessed and citizens often express their views on these media without interception. Neither are e-mails nor telephone communications through voice, text and whatsapp censored in Lesotho. There is no law which governs social media generally. The challenge with this freedom however, is that sometimes users of social media overstep the boundaries and violate the rights of other users or incite violence. Hence the government is considering regulation of the use of social media in Lesotho although no measures have been put in place yet. Challenges 84. Despite considerable strides to guarantee the right to freedom of expression in Lesotho there are still laws which limit the ambit of this freedom. These include: 37