“Lesotho, like the rest of the developing countries is concerned about the ever increasing rate of reports and coverage by poverty stricken communities, civil wars, diseases and unemployment. The world hardly hears the international media on reports on development”, he stressed.

He reiterated that Africa’s transformation to economic development will only be stimulated by positive reporting.

At the same occasion, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onoche explained that the dialogue is a conversation on the transformative power of ideas, their spread and the media’s potential to use technology to support creative communication strategies that benefit communities.

She said the central role of the media lies in providing knowledge to people, enabling them to understand and appreciate their socio economic and political environment.

She said the dialogue occurred on the eve of local and national elections in Lesotho, which are only months away, and within which media plays a critical role.

Ms Eziakonwa-Onoche further said the dialogue must address the responsible role of media in the increasingly volatile and heavily contested African elections.

She said by hosting the meeting, the country is placing itself on the regional map and demonstrating to its peers a readiness for openness, transparency and willingness to raise the banner of accountability to a higher level.

She summed up by applauding the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) Agency of the African Union (AU) for organising the dialogue and inviting the media to define a roadmap for permanent and meaningful engagement in shaping Africa’s new development order.

The event was organised by the Advocacy and Communication Cluster of the Regional Coordination Mechanism of the United Nations and was attended by local and international media practitioners as well as representatives of some international organizations.