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Lesotho: Communications Authority Asked to Rescind Radio Station's Closure
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Reporters sans Frontières (Paris)
PRESS RELEASE
30 July 2008
Posted to the web 31 July 2008
Reporters Without Borders has written to the head of the Lesotho Communications Authority asking him to reverse his decision to close privately-owned radio Harvest FM for three months.
Percy Metsing Mangoaela
Chairperson
Lesotho Communications Authority
PO Box 15896
Maseru 100, Lesotho
Paris, 30 July 2008
Dear Mr. Mangoaela,
Reporters Without Borders, an organisation that defends press freedom worldwide, regrets your decision on 21 July to suspend privately-owned radio Harvest FM for three months as a result of a complaint by a police commissioner and a communications ministry official accusing the station of trying "to damage their dignity as individuals."
The station, which would be allowed to resume broadcasting on 21 October, has received threats in the past because of its reporting, which its openly critical of the government.
The closure of Lesotho's only privately-owned radio station is a serious violation of free speech. Suspending a news media because of what it has said or written does nothing to redress any defamation or offence that may have been caused. Harvest FM's closure, which has been widely condemned by local and international press freedom activists, will only cause polarisation and foster a climate of hostility between the government and the media.
For all these reasons, we urge you to rescind your order and allow Harvest FM to resume broadcasting.
We hope you will give this matter your careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert Ménard
Secretary-General
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Reporters Without Borders defends imprisoned journalists and press freedom throughout the world. It has nine national sections (Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). It has representatives in Bangkok, London, New York, Tokyo and Washington. And it has more than 120 correspondents worldwide.
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