Preserving the past, present and future

the case of Lesotho National Broadcasting Services

Abstract

Audio-visual recordings generated by public broadcasters contribute to a nation's collection of cultural heritage materials. Broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure that these recordings are preserved for future use to ensure that a nation's historical and cultural assets are preserved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preservation activities maintained at the Lesotho National Broadcasting Services (LNBS) of audio-visual recordings.  Head archivists and librarians, technicians, archivists and librarians, news editors, and producers made up the study’s population of 10 participants. Data were gathered from respondents using interviews and observations. The findings of the study showed that poor funding for Lesotho-based organisations, poor housing and environmental conditions, and a lack of knowledge about preventive preservation techniques are all factors that contribute to the poor preservation strategies in Lesotho. To support the preservation of audio-visual resources by LNBS and other entities, the study proposes a framework for preservation procedures and guidelines that will serve as an industry-standard for the preservation of audio-visual collections in the public sector.