MISA Lesotho has written to the office of the Prime Minister over a statement he made last month while addressing the media at the ministry of health premises.
Majoro announced that government was working on classifying some of its documents/information and that any media organization that publishes confidential government information will be liable to prosecution.
“Anybody who is not authorised to be in a possession of classified government document is committing an offence. So, when the media gets hold of classified documents, you should know that it is illegal,” he said.
MISA finds Majoro’s statement utterly posing a threat to press freedom and interfering with the editorial independence of the media. It believes the Prime Minister’s statement could also restrict the right of Basotho to access and receive information.
MISA has brought to Prime minister’s attention that one of the key functions of the media is to perform a watchdog role to promote transparency and accountability.
