Masisi dresses down BBC :: Mmegi Online

In an exclusive interview with President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) came with a clear agenda: expose the gaps exploited by elephant poachers once guns were withdrawn from the anti-poaching rangers in recent months.

However, Masisi turned the approach on its head and the chance might be that when the pre-recorded programme airs on Friday for millions of viewers around the world, a good chunk might be removed because the anchor fielded questions from a rather curiously sceptical President. Masisi last month refuted claims by the conservationist Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders (EWB) that there were 87 poached elephants in one conservancy.

“While it seemed important for you to air such a report about Botswana, it remains curious that you never considered the importance to accord us the right of reply. Isn’t that the ethical practice of a reputable news organisation as yourself? I am disappointed,” he emphasised.

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