14 March 2012 Last updated at 07:37 ET

Lesotho profile

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media
• Timeline

Radio is the most-popular medium. As well as domestic outlets, South African radio and TV stations can be received.

Commercial and private radios are on the air alongside state-run Radio Lesotho - the only national station. The sole TV station is state-run. BBC World Service broadcasts on 90.2 FM.

The government generally respects media freedom and the private press carries opposition views. But the threat of defamation suits has led to self-censorship, reports US-based Freedom House.

Many media outlets rely heavily on government advertising.

There were just under 84,000 internet users by December 2011 (Internetworldstats.com).

Press

• Public Eye - weekly, in English
• Lesotho Times - weekly, in English
• Sunday Express - weekly, in English
• Makatolle - weekly, in Sesotho
• MoAfrica - weekly, in Sesotho

Television

• Lesotho Television - national, state-run

Radio

• Radio Lesotho - national, state-run
• MoAfrika FM - private, Maseru-based
• People's Choice FM - private
• Joy Radio FM - private
• Catholic Radio FM - private

News agency

• Lesotho News Agency - state-run