Lesotho’s Christian Harvest Radio Returns to the Air After 3 Month Ban

Lesotho’s Harvest Radio, a Christian broadcaster closed down three months ago on defamation allegations, returned to the air on Wednesday. The radio station was closed by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) following defamation complaints by the Commissioner of Police, ‘Malejaka Letooane, and the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Communications, Ts’eliso ‘Mokela.

Stations Manager ‘Malichaba Lekhoaba allayed listeners’ fears that the station might not have freedom of speech for fear of being closed again, saying that Harvest would continue to broadcast quality programs, which will include listeners’ opinions without any bias.

He said even though the station had lost some of the staff, those who did not leave will be trained by a radio station in South Africa soon, so that they could deliver quality programs.

Speaking on behalf of Private radio stations, the Manager of People’s Choice FM, Kholu Qhobela, thanked God for providing guidance to the management of Harvest FM during the closure of the radio station.

She said she will be available whenever there is a need to advise and share ideas with the management of Harvest Radio.

A Political Analyst, who is a Lecturer in the National University of Lesotho and an Editor of Public Eye Newspaper, Nthakeng Selinyane said it was not necessary for the LCA to close the Radio Station for three months for a fault committed for a few minutes because it killed the radio station’s economy, especially when it employed many people.

Harvest Radio is a major government critic. It became familiar in Maseru and neighboring towns shortly before 2007 elections, and the ruling party lost almost all constituencies where the radio station had its reach.

Source African Press Agency

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