Guarding the Guardians: The fading role of the media
Afree, objective, skilled media is an essential component of any democratic society. On the one hand, it provides the information which the polity requires to make responsible, informed decisions.
On the other, it performs a “checking function” ensuring that elected officials uphold their oaths of office and campaign promises and that they carry out the wishes of the electorate. The recent propulsion of four radio journalists and broadcasters from private radio stations, straight to the highest office in the land, cannot go unnoticed.
The move speaks volumes. But before the reader throws unpalatable adjectives at me, let me hasten to say the discourse here is not the individuals, but the decision and its strategic implications. Permit me to say, for starters, the optics of it are terrible.
In such circumstances, how does one motivate that hard- working journalist at Botswana Press Agency ( BOPA), that his/ her hard work will one day be rewarded, it would just be absurd talk. The reality is there, unfolding before their very own eyes. The lesson; it takes more than hard work.
The new media environment is dynamic and continues to develop in novel, sometimes unanticipated, ways that have serious consequences for democratic governance and politics. Society has
The fundamental right to seek and disseminate information through an independent press has come under attack. Elected leaders in many democracies, who should be press freedom’s staunchest defenders, have made explicit attempts to silence critical media voices and strengthen outlets that serve up favourable coverage.
entered a post- truth era. Deception has become a defining characteristic of modern life, and is so pervasive that people are desensitised to its implications.
The media have radically altered the way that government institutions operate, the way that political leaders communicate, the manner in which elections are contested, and citizen engagement. The fact is that ambiguous statements containing a kernel of authenticity, but falling short of the truth, have become the currency of politicians, reporters, corporate executives, and other power- brokers.
The fundamental right to seek and disseminate information through an independent press has come under attack. Elected leaders in many democracies, who should be press freedom’s staunchest defenders, have made explicit attempts to silence critical media voices and strengthen outlets that serve up favourable coverage.
While the threats to global media freedom are real and concerning in their own right, their impact on the state of democracy is what makes them truly dangerous. A free and independent media sector that can keep the population informed and hold leaders to account is as crucial for a strong and sustainable democracy as free and fair elections.
Without it, citizens cannot make informed decisions about how they are ruled, and abuse of power, which is all but inevitable in any society, cannot be exposed and corrected. Unlike the previous Khama administration which was hawkish towards the media, Masisi’s approach is novel, but most lethal.
The media has fallen prey to more nuanced efforts to throttle their independence. These include government- backed ownership changes, regulatory and financial pressure, and public denunciations of honest journalists.
Government may also offer proactive support to friendly outlets through measures such as lucrative state contracts, favourable regulatory decisions, and preferential access to state information. The goal is to make the press serve those in power rather than the public.
The political environment has become extremely polarised, prompting the emergence of political agendas that promote rogue politics. Objective facts are subordinate to emotional appeals and personal beliefs in shaping public opinion.
The public has difficulty distinguishing relevant news about weighty policy issues from the extraneous clamour that permeates the media. Professional media editors who regulate the flow of information by applying news principles and standards associated with the public good have become scarce.
Individuals lacking prior journalism training or reputation can reach many users at lightning- fast speed. As such, journalists have become either hostage or casualty.