Editing Telecommunications in Lesotho (section)

===Internet censorship and surveillance===

There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors [[e-mail]] or Internet [[chat rooms]] without judicial oversight. The Internet is not widely available and almost nonexistent in rural areas due to the lack of communications infrastructure and high cost of access.<ref name=USDOS-CROHRP-Lesotho-2012>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204133 "Lesotho"], ''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012'', Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 21 March 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref>

The constitution and law provide for [[freedom of speech]], so long as they do not interfere with "defense, public safety, public order, public morality, or public health". The government generally respects this right. An independent press, effective judiciary, and functioning democratic political system combine generally to promote [[freedom of the press]]; however, harassment of journalists and [[self-censorship]] persist. The law prohibits expressions of [[hate speech|hatred or contempt]] for any person because of the person’s race, ethnic affiliation, gender, disability, or color.<ref name=USDOS-CROHRP-Lesotho-2012/>