Editors hail meeting Masisi
Ryder Gabathuse | Monday February 19, 2024 06:00
With a chequered history that Botswana’s private media and the Office of the President (OP) have for the longest time been like oil and water, with open mistrusts between the parties, last week’s meetings organised by the OP provided a fertile ground for healing the wounds of the past.
It was not surprising that local newspaper Group, CBET, publishers of the Botswana Guardian and its sister publication, The Midweek Sun once took the government to court during the presidency of Festus Mogae, in its endeavour to reverse a blatant case of advertising ban and the newspaper won the case. Victory for the newspapers Group was regarded as a victory for media freedom and freedom of expression. The Botswana High Court had declared the government ban on advertising in two newspapers unconstitutional.
As if that was not enough, former president Ian Khama who at some stage during his tenure as the military commander indicated openly that he did not have an appetite for reading local newspapers and his presidency was characterised by skirmishes with the local private media. Media house raids and journalists arrests escalated during his presidency further polarising the private media and the OP. Perhaps, as a gesture to ‘clean’ his presidency, Masisi had an engagement with the local press and shared a good number of ‘off record’ material in what appeared like a candid gesture.
The President was able to discuss a wide range of issues from the Botswana-De Beers war, mindset change, Khama-Masisi fracas, the ban on trophy hunting and many topical issues. At the end of the weekend meetings, editors were able to share their honest views on the engagement. Yarona FM head of news, Jeannie Olesitse-Mogotsi said that despite the stakeholder engagement coming late in the day with elections on the horizon, it was a step in the right direction.
“There has been so much said about him over the years, some positive and others not so positive. For me, it was a chance to look him in the eye and see what really matters to him. Whether it’s perceived or real,” said Olesitse-Mogotsi. She added: “As a man in power, from a young man who grew up without as much power, he would like to articulate what kind of citizenry we should be.” She said the President’s sentiments have found expression in his constant reshuffle and by his own admission a realisation that there is a need to change mindsets. She further pointed out some of these things are visible in his foreign policy to be acknowledged globally.
Whilst Olesitse-Mogotsi understands Masisi’s underlying conflict with former president Khama, she thinks the incumbent gives one man too much credit. Editor of The Patriot on Sunday, Ditiro Motlhabane is positive that, it was a good start after numerous attempts by the Botswana Editors Forum (BEF) to engage the President failed in the past soon after Masisi came into office.
He hailed the newly appointed Permanent Secretary (Government Communications), Montlenyane Baaitse who made the President available to editors with so much ease, and it is comforting that the OP has promised more such high-level engagements going forward.
“Hopefully, they will keep their word because we need each other for the good of this country. It is even more encouraging that the President is not putting pressure on the media to favour him, he appreciates the value of a free press in a democracy and has only asked journalists to be ethical in their line of duty,” Motlhabane observed.
For his part, Lawrence Seretse says the meeting was of some significance, as it showed a willingness from both sides to engage in dialogue and address some of the issues that have strained the relationship between the private media and the presidency over the years. “It was a positive step but the government needs to do a lot more work. Masisi should consider the Fourth Estate a stakeholder in this democracy and economic development of Botswana, be inclusive, and involve the media on meaningful dialogues to help shape a progressive national agenda beyond partisan politics,” was Seretse’s comment. His view is that “Leaders who leave great legacies are those who leave people’s livelihoods better than when he found them. Media is also an essential ingredient to that.” In an earlier WhatsApp group conversation, Sunday Standard editor Outsa Mokone had said: “Thanks guys we really had fun, which was quite surreal considering our history with government hospitality. You guys are true ambassadors of Masisi’s ‘inflection’.”
He noted that the organisers of the meeting from the OP, “did not only make us see value in his (Masisi’s) endeavour to move the dial in the shortest possible time, but you also convinced us that it is possible and it is not just a crackpot flight of fancy by the powers that be.”
GabzFM content editor, Rorisang Ramogojwa recognises the value of “our recent interaction with President Masisi as a positive move towards improving collaboration between the presidency and private media.” Ramogojwa notes that whilst she appreciated the insights shared by President Masisi on important national issues, it’s crucial for her to note that there’s still work to be done in enhancing this relationship, especially concerning the role of the press office in facilitating media interactions.
“So, essentially our talk with President Masisi was a positive move in building bridges between the presidency and private media. But, let’s not forget – just because we’re having these interactions doesn’t mean we won’t hold them accountable. As the Fourth Estate, it’s our responsibility. We also need to make sure the public knows we’re not captured in the process.” She emphasised that there is still plenty of room for improvement, especially in how the press office can support our interactions for better reporting.
In expressing his opinion about the weekend meeting, Botswana Guardian investigative editor, Dikarabo Ramadubu said the meeting was long overdue. He feels editors should have met with the President and leaders of other political parties on multiple occasions by now.
He supported his version with bullet point 4 of the BDP’s 2019, 15 points Manifesto.
“The fact that President Masisi has invited us, the editors, provided us with an opportunity to discuss and ask him questions as we pleased. I find this to be a commendable move,” he stressed.
He also said that the President’s decision to meet editors has created, “an opportunity and opened up a channel that directly engages our roles as heads of respective media houses to fully utilise. It could be argued by some that since it is a General Election year, the President might be seeking favour or attempting to appeal to the editors – however, this is subject to interpretation. What matters are the issues of national interest that he discussed with us.”
He feels now It is the responsibility of editors, both individually and collectively, to determine how they present or interpret the meeting.
“It is worth recalling President Masisi’s own words when he stated that, “any leader who ignores the media is a fool.” Ramadubu interpreted the statement to reflecting on the global standard practice, as leaders are not only expected to engage with the Fourth Estate but also with civil society and other key stakeholders in general.