Ditshwanelo on world press freedom day
The day is commemorated on May 3, annually. This day raises awareness about the importance of press freedom and encourages governments to respect and preserve the right to free expression, which is inscribed in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The 2024 theme, ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,’ emphasises the importance of journalism in tackling environmental concerns. The media must be empowered to report on these issues, encouraging informed public discourse and holding governments accountable.
Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) addresses the fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information. The article declares that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”1 This article emphasises the necessity of maintaining people’s freedom to express their opinions, beliefs, and ideas without undue interference. It also emphasises the necessity of open access to information and the freedom to distribute it without restriction across boundaries. The article lays the groundwork for press freedom by emphasising the role of journalists and media in advancing democracy, encouraging discourse, and holding power accountable.
We acknowledge efforts by the Botswana government towards ensuring that the press is free and responsible. Some approaches include adopting policies to protect journalists and their sources, ensuring their safety while performing their critical tasks. Botswana’s Media Practitioners Act (2008) was initially enacted to establish the Media Council and provide for the registration and accreditation of media practitioners.
The Media Practitioners Act was repealed in 2022. The repeal of this legislation has however not fundamentally changed the concerns initially raised. Just like its predecessor, the Media Practitioners Association Act requires the registration of journalists as well as other provisions which interfere with editorial freedom.
DITSHWANELO urges the government of Botswana to further strengthen press freedom in Botswana by acknowledging media freedom in the Constitution of Botswana, to complement Section 12, which provides for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. We also urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the media plays an important role in supporting democracy, peace, and sustainable development. DITSHWANELO encourages the government, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to continue collaborating to promote and safeguard press freedom in Botswana. This will go a long way in ensuring dialogue, policy reforms, and capacity-building measures helps to maintain a dynamic and responsible media sector.
DITSHWANELO also promotes responsible and accurate journalism around the world. There is a need to encourage responsible, free, critical, and accurate reporting and information. It should also be noted that in order to be informed, active, and responsible citizens, information must be available to everybody. Access to knowledge is essential for a functioning democracy. It should consequently be safeguarded and promoted.
Furthermore, DITSHWANELO emphasises the importance of celebrating journalism, which promotes a free and independent press and contributes to democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. This can be accomplished by recognising the efforts of Botswana journalists and media practitioners who have significantly influenced public discourse and awareness.