Comment: World Press Freedom Day: Locating Botswana
This week the world paused for a moment to observe and reflect on the contribution made by the press in human development. Going by the nomenclature of World Press Freedom Day, May 3 should be observed by everyone as it is inherently inter- linked with freedom of expression, a right recognised in the universal declaration of Human Rights.
It has been said many a times that freedom of expression is a pivot and a pillar that all rights revolve around. Botswana has for a long time recorded low rate of violation incidents, making it one of the countries that attracts positive reviews and ratings. This is an achievement that compatriots must be unapologetically proud of and jealously guard the status.
It is unfortunate that since the last commemorations, there has been a few incidents and developments that obscure the ravishing reviews.
We have had incidents where citizens were denied opportunities to express themselves in protests, culminating in their arrests and detentions. Every time there are these incidents, journalists figuratively get their fingers burnt or hit by stray bullets. One incident that remains indelible in the country’s poster is when one faith leader, Rev.
Thuso Tiego was detained whilst he was attempting to protest. During the mayhem, journalists were manhandled by the police. Safety of journalists is always compromised during such incidents and this can never be over- condemned. Some of the Botswana international ratings have also dropped in some rating agencies, notably the CIVICUS Monitor 2021, - where it moved from the status of ‘ narrowed’ to ‘ obstructed’ - a sign that special attention is urgently needed. Botswana continues to house government media under the office of the president, leading to a proactive editorial intimidation and interference. The placement of the government media under a political office is not ideal in a country aspiring to be a developed democracy. In fact, this concern is not just academic, but has been magnified in many occasions, especially with the coverage of political developments in the country.
Government media always feel trapped as they are often reminded that they work for government and therefore must acknowledge the hand that feeds them. Featured in every WPFD commemorations is the lack of political will to develop community media, especially radio in the country. The law is silent on its licensing, leading to zero awarding of community radio frequencies.
Just like the licensing of commercial and government media, community radios must also be explicitly provided for and encouraged. Botswana media landscape must be allowed to grow, in terms of plurality and in diversity, if the country is to be consistent with the ideals of the constitution and international commitments to freedom of expression.