Parly rejects Btv transformation Bill
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday February 15, 2022 11:38
Fifteen members supported the motion while 23 rejected it. Sixteen members were absent in Parliament on the day of voting.
When debating a motion before Parliament, Boko said a free, objective, skilled media is an essential component of any democratic society.
“It provides the information, which the polity requires to make responsible, informed decisions. Furthermore, it performs a 'checking function' in public affairs. The current challenge is the set-up of state media controlled by the office of President, where government controls the making less coverage of opposition and dissenting voices. There is an abuse of state media for self-preservation by the government, as citizens are given one side of the story. Batswana miss real stories concerning their lives. We are supposed to be a democratic country that caters for views and opinions of various sections of society in fulfilment of concise. Media should be seen as an enabler of democracy,” Boko said.
In addition, he said it is important in a democracy to have a public broadcaster funded by the government but with an independent board.
Further adding that the purpose of public broadcasting is to provide access to high-quality programming.
According to him, the programming is to enlighten, inform and entertain the viewing audience as it often addresses real issues affecting the people of the country. He said the news content at Btv is being governed as reporters are being controlled on what to air.
The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Kabo Morwaeng said currently there is a plan, which will soon be implemented that BTV will have 80% of local content.
“Some stations are being helped by Btv when it comes to footage if they need it. As for fake news, the government is not going to keep on responding to all fake news around. We cannot run the country like that,” he said.