The Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mr. Tšoinyana Rapapa says the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
Mr.  Rapapa said this when officially opening the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day held at UNESCO Premises in Maseru on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said this year’s WPFD theme is ‘Digital Media under Seize’ thus stories told with style and attachment to the values of press freedom help people better understand the complex world in which we live.
He noted that it is a greater need for journalism to break down walls of prejudice, ignorance and powerlessness in the face of deepening global communication explosion, terrorism and conflict, climate change, poverty and disease, saying the media should be a watchdog of government.
 He stressed that it is not easy in the age of the internet when there is no such concept as local news at the click of a mouse, saying the parochial becomes global and people in their hundreds of millions are connected to their mobile phones and computers or through their telephones in ways which were unthinkable even a few years ago.
“The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991,” the Minister said, noting that the theme seeks to bring together on this very special day: journalists, media representatives, and activists, cybersecurity managers and legal experts including policymakers to develop concrete solutions meant to tackle threats posed by increased surveillance to press freedom and privacy.
Also speaking, the National Director of MISA Lesotho, Mr. Lekhetho Ntsukunyane said Lesotho Media have created sub-themes that align with challenges faced by Lesotho journalist.
He noted that as MISA Lesotho, they are committed to working towards challenges facing media in Lesotho   
 The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay said journalists play an essential role in providing information, saying they assess, investigate and disseminate facts ensuring that people can make informed decisions.
she said digital technologies are further revolutionising the landscapes hence they have permitted unprecedented exchanges of information, supporting journalism across borders.
She however said these opportunities come with new challenges, saying the advent of online platforms has called into new questions the viability of independent and pluralistic media, upending existing value chains and business models. 
she stressed that expressions of hatred against journalists have spiralled, affecting women journalists, in particular, saying the research shows that more than seven out of ten women reporters surveyed have experienced online violence.
The ceremony was graced by the panel discussion between the journalist and news editors about the issues concerning media in Lesotho.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, May 03, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
By Staff Reporter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi