MISA-Botswana advocates for reform of media landscape
As we gather here today to introspect on the impact of the 30 successive years of commemorating the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), I feel proud to note the instrumental role Africa has played in contributing to the evolution of the rights agenda.
As we look back to 1993, we surely cannot ignore the fact that the Windhoek Declaration is the foundation upon which a free press as well as freedom of expression for humanity evolved.
Based on such a firm foundation, one can say not at any point has the media in Botswana, both private and state, faltered when called upon to play its role as the watchdog of society besides ensuring that our people are free to express themselves.
However, as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the WPFD today, allow me on behalf of MISA-Botswana, to highlight a few things as well as to make a call to government, media owners, journalists and members of the public who are the main consumers of news.
As much as we recognise the key role that a free, pluralistic and independent media plays in the attainment of our national vision (Vision 2036) ideals as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (The Africa we want), MISA-Botswana wishes to note with concern certain issues discordant with journalistic work in Botswana.
Today MISA Botswana wishes to take note of the following in relation to the state of media and the working environment for journalists in Botswana:
*LOW WAGES and skeletal newsrooms in most media houses are creating high workloads for media workers, especially journalists. This is mostly evident in the private media space.
I want to encourage employers to find creative ways of multiplying their revenue sources so that workers in their companies who are at high risk such as journalists are well remunerated. This will also do away with the issue of the brown envelope, an enemy to the noble profession of journalism. MISA-Botswana calls on the media workers unions as well to consider speeding up efforts of engaging employers to better the welfare of journalists.
* STATE MEDIA: In other countries such as the UK and South Africa, media entities such as Btv, RB1 and RB2 operate under the banner of a public broadcaster. I guess as we mature as a democracy, Botswana should also consider going the same route. It is not something we should fear but something that will demonstrate our maturity as a democracy in that it will go a long way in cementing trust between government media journalists and the public.
* SELF DEVELOPMENT: While employers are encouraged to use national funds such as the one hosted by the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) to up-skill their employees, individual journalists should be encouraged to self-develop by enrolling for short to long-term courses and programmes available on the Internet.
This can help reporters to write stories that bring change to our people. Journalists who do not make time for research and self-development tend to produce below par stories which then affect the national development agenda as they cannot spark any debate nor result in the public seeking accountability where necessary.
* CONSUMERS: Readers and listeners should also be encouraged to engage media practitioners in ways that can help bring cordial relations as opposed to a hostile environment where journalists are always attacked and given derogatory labels.
* LAWS & REGULATIONS: Whilst journalists and media houses in Botswana still have to navigate a wide range of landmines that inhibit freedom of expression such as the Whistle Blowers Act, the law on assets declaration, sedition, amongst others, it is, however, encouraging to note that recent media law reforms have received a positive response from the media fraternity.
However, it is MISA Botswana’s view that further reforms and improvements are needed in order to strengthen the environment for press freedom and to ensure that all the media in the country are able to operate free of political, business and government interference.
MISA Botswana calls on government to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to foster fair market conditions for the private media as it has been done with other sectors such as the construction sector. This includes changing the government policy on public procurements thresholds, which over the years have proved to be a hindrance to the growth of the media as a sector.
Last but not least, the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act will be a cherry on top.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as I conclude, MISA-Botswana makes these calls and observations in recognition of the fact that no country can call itself a democracy unless it guarantees freedom of expression.
For us in Botswana, even before the advancement of modern-day democracy, our typical traditional society has always been premised on the freedom of speech where individuals could state their views without fear.
This freedom of speech, which is concomitant to a free press, was encapsulated in the maxim “Mmualebe o bua la gagwe”, meaning every person has the right to his or her own opinion.
Were we to join hands and tackle the above, we will surely be within the global theme for this year’s commemorations, which is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.