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interpretation in the absence of a media-specific law.Legal challengesLesotho media continues to face threats from various quarters. These have come in the form ofdefamation cases instituted by private individuals and political figures, the most recent being acivil defamation case against The Mirror newspaper by the leader of Marematlou FreedomParty (MFP), Vincent Malebo.Malebo claims that an article which appeared in The Mirror newspaper of May 23 2003,entitled ‘Is Malebo rightful owner or the people?’, was defamatory to him since it insinuatedthat the plaintiff had unjustifiably kept property, in the form of two tractors belonging to acommunity in northern Maseru, and used them for his own personal gain.Typically, the newspaper lost the case in the High Court and Malebo was awarded sixty thousandMaloti, an amount which the publishing house could not afford to pay. As a result, TheMirror’s office equipment, including furniture and computers, was attached, and the newspapernow battles to produce an edition each week using hired equipment.It is important to note that if the courts force media houses to deplete their resources in payments,this is tantamount to gagging the media and defeating the freedom of speech entrenchedin the constitution and in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyonehas the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinionswithout interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through anymedia and regardless of frontiers.”Smart dialogueIn a very rare occurrence, the government involved private media in consultations that led tothe hosting of the Southern African International Dialogue (SAID) 2005 of the Smart PartnershipMovement. The private media saw this as a positive move towards them by the state,although the government Secretary made it clear that they were involved so that maximumcoverage could be gained to make SAID a success.Nevertheless, it gave private media professionals the opportunity to voice their discontent atthe way in which they are sidelined by government when it comes to the release of information,with government media being favoured instead.TrainingThere is still a critical need for the quality of reporting in Lesotho to be upgraded by furthertraining. This in turn will lead to a greater degree of professionalism in the media sector. Whilemuch has been done with regard to the legislative environment, it remains to be seen whetherthis will lead to a free atmosphere for the media in future.So This Is Democracy? 2005-53-Media Institute of Southern Africa