Lesotho Celebrates World Radio Day

Lesotho to commemorate the World Radio Day 2020 By Tsiu Tsiu

Lesotho will join the rest of the world in observing the World Radio Day 2020 on the 13 February 2020.

Radio remains the most widely consumed medium in Lesotho, like in many countries of the world. Radio in Lesotho is diversified with different forms of ownership. Lesotho has a state broadcaster, several private, commercial and community radio stations. At present, Lesotho has 27 sound broadcasting licensees broadcasting in most areas of the country in two official languages and with one licensee using isiXhosa. 

The Authority has recently secured radio frequencies for Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) - a technology used by radio stations to broadcast digitally and will soon be issuing licences using this technology. Through DAB radio, the choice of stations available to listeners will be increased dramatically with more stations being able to broadcast in the same areas on less frequency space than necessary for FM and AM radio. Lesotho already has a challenge of diminishing FM frequencies. DAB radio also offer additional information and features, such as the display of programme and song played, or the ability to pause and even record live broadcast, further enriching the radio experience.

Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) is a statutory body, established in June 2000, with the mandate of regulating the communications sector in Lesotho comprising telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services and related matters.