Maun residents have called for greater media freedom and accountability, expressing frustration over government-controlled narratives.
They raised this during a kgotla meeting held by a consultative task team behind Botswana’s New Media Legislative Framework.
Speaking at the kgotla meeting, Member of the Task Force, Professor Tachilisa Balule highlighted that the public consultative engagement on Botswana’s proposed New Media Legislative Framework meeting aimed to gather insights from media professionals, youth, publishers, advertisers, and the general public.
He further said that the consultative meeting at Sedie Kgotla underscores the public’s desire for a balanced approach that ensures both media freedom and accountability.
“As Botswana moves forward with media legislative reforms, it remains imperative to address these concerns to uphold democratic principles and ensure that all voices are heard,” he said.
The team heard strong appeals for an independent and balanced media that reflects the true voice of the people. A central theme emerged, the perceived lack of editorial independence in state-run media. Attendees expressed concerns that government-affiliated outlets, such as Botswana Television (BTV), Radio Botswana, and the Daily News, predominantly highlight positive narratives about government activities, often sidelining pressing community issues.
Shadreck Ntema, a resident of Sedie ward voiced his apprehensions, stating, “public journalists are constrained; they cannot freely report on all matters affecting our communities. This one-sided reporting undermines the very essence of journalism.”
He further emphasized the importance of professional journalism, cautioning against the rise of untrained individuals disseminating information without adherence to journalistic ethics.
For his part, Kutlo Garebamono emphasised the need for a regulatory council to oversee media practices. He highlighted the growing concern of defamation in the country and advocated for laws that hold media accountable for their errors. Garebamono also supported the idea of maintaining a register of journalists to ensure accountability and uphold professional standards in journalism.
“We need a media council that can regulate and hold journalists accountable, especially with defamation cases on the rise. Journalists must be registered so that when they make errors, there’s a clear structure for addressing them,” he said.
Another pressing issue discussed was the recent costs to access BTV, a move that many believe restricts public access to essential information. Participants argued that as a state-funded entity, BTV should remain freely accessible to all citizens.
Maun resident, Botsalo Thipe highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation, advocating for the registration and accreditation of journalists to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of information disseminated to the public.
Thipe also highlighted on the financial disparities between public and private media houses. She called for equitable funding and support for private media entities to foster a diverse and balanced media landscape.
“We often see that the public media has all the essential equipment to effectively run their office whereas the private media hassle to put together the right equipment needed for a better service delivery hense there is need for a certain funding to help bring Botswana media to the international standard, “she said.
Councillor for Sedie Ward, Dikgang Dikgang, also weighed in on the conversation, calling for the establishment of a regulatory council to oversee media conduct and ensure accountability. “Just as journalists are demanding freedom, there must also be responsibility. A regulatory body would help ensure that information shared with the public is accurate and ethical,” he said.
Dikgang emphasised that a balanced media landscape not only protects the public but also upholds the integrity of the profession.
