The Minister of Information, Communication, Science, Technology & Innovation, Ms. Nthati Moorosi launched the Broadcaster Training Program at the event held in Maseru on Wednesday.

Ms. Moorosi said as per the media sector reforms document 2019, there are many reforms that are identified as necessary for transforming better professional media practice, saying this initiative will contribute massively towards the development of broadcasting in the country.

She said media houses should also be included in this training as it will pave for a professional working environment in this sector, saying Lesotho Communication Authority (LCA) has entrusted Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) to train the broadcasters who already have field experience in the media.

Ms. Moorosi commended LCA for this initiative as this will improve the media profession hence contribute towards development in the country.

On the same note, the LUCT Vice Chancellor, Adv. Tefo Macheli said part of crucial National Media Reforms aligned to the media policy and code of conduct among others, regulations have been put in place yet towards ensuring unimproved professional, ethical capacitated and skilled media fraternity in view of the clearing shortcomings that the country has identified amongst others.

Adv. Macheli said it is from this positive development the media fraternity and its regulation will upgrade the broadcasters’ skills so they become professional, saying to achieve this they will need dedication and determination.

He said the long-term objective is that the broadcaster or media practitioner that did not have any qualification should be in a position that in the next five years can say they are now a degree or diploma holder as a result of this programme.

“This can only happen if you trainees can work hard. You are not being done any favour you will be treated like any other student where you fail, we will gladly make fail and when you pass we will gladly make you pass” he said.

The LCA CEO, Mr. Nizam Goolam said this training will pave a way for the smooth implementation of the Broadcasting Code of 2022, further commending the stakeholders for their contribution.

Mr. Goolam thanked LUCT for agreeing to this venture, saying it was not easy to find a local university that agrees to implement this project with them.

“I thank LUCT for collaborating with LCA in this venture as it was not easy to find the university to collaborate with because we did not want to work with an international university as there is a potential in this country to offer such services,” he said.

On behalf of the radio stations, Radio Maria Director, Father. Charles Tumo Matsoso said as radios they applaud both LCA and LUCT for providing broadcasters with the training that will improve their work.

Father Matsoso urged the trainees to take their courses seriously, saying discipline and dedication are everything as the country is going to have the finest broadcasters that it longed for.

Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mrs. Motšabi Tšehlana thanked LCA and LUCT for giving them this opportunity to further their studies.

Mrs. Tšehlana said they all had a dream to further their studies but due to unforeseen circumstances, they could not reach their dreams, saying however today is a new dawn as their dreams will become a  reality.

It is expected that 60 broadcasters from radio stations will enrol in this programme.

Present at the event included the Principal Secretary, LCA staff, LUCT staff and representatives from the radios.