Revitalising Botswana’s media through innovation, ethical journalism, sustainable growth
THOMAS NKHOMA | Monday February 24, 2025 12:59
By acknowledging the challenges facing the sector and demonstrating willingness to amend restrictive laws such as the Media Practitioners Association Act, there is no doubt that the new administration has taken a critical step towards fostering media freedom and strengthening journalism as a pillar of democracy. That notwithstanding, one of the critical issues plaguing Botswana’s media landscape is seemingly the rapid decline in professionalism and ethical standards. In the past, journalism was a craft that required years of experience, mentorship and a structured progression through the newsroom ranks. A cub reporter, fresh from university or any other institution, would first gain hands-on experience as a junior reporter or cub reporter.
They would then gradually rise through the ranks to become a senior reporter, desk coordinator, sub-editor and eventually an editor. Such traditional career progression ensured that only seasoned journalists with a strong ethical foundation and a profound industry knowledge took up leadership roles in newsrooms. Contrast that with today’s media industry, the situation has changed dramatically. While a welcome development, the rise of digital media and the demand for immediate content have led to what is now referred to as the “juniorisation” of newsrooms. Young journalists, often inexperienced and lacking the necessary professional grounding, find themselves in senior editorial roles after publishing just a handful of breaking stories. Such premature elevation has, to some extent, contributed to a decline in professional standards with ethical considerations frequently overlooked in the race for sensational headlines. If not juniorisation, many media houses operate with skeletal staff, forcing reporters to cover multiple beats and leaving them overwhelmed with work which further compromises the quality of journalism. Furthermore, the financial instability of media organisations especially in the private sector, has exacerbated these challenges. Many experienced journalists are leaving newsrooms for more lucrative positions in corporate communications and public relations, drawn by better salaries and job security. The exodus of skilled journalists has left many media houses struggling to maintain high standards as they are now largely staffed by junior reporters who lack proper mentorship and editorial oversight. Another significant factor contributing to declining media professionalism is the rise of unregulated online platforms. Today, anyone with access to the internet can publish content and claim to be a journalist. While digital platforms have expanded access to information, they have also led to an increase in misinformation, unchecked biases and the blurring of lines between professional journalism and amateur reporting.
This has eroded public trust in mainstream media in that audiences struggle to distinguish credible news sources from sensationalist or misleading content. To address these pressing issues, several solutions must be considered. First, there is a need for sustainable media funding. The government of Botswana, recognising the importance of a free and professional press, should explore avenues for supporting the media industry without compromising editorial independence. Such could include grants, training programmes and incentives for media houses that prioritise investigative journalism and ethical reporting. Furthermore, media organisations themselves must take proactive steps to rebuild professionalism and public trust. Investing in mentorship programmes, continuous training and strict adherence to journalistic ethics can help restore credibility. The establishment of industry-wide accreditation and professional development standards can also ensure that journalists, regardless of their platform, adhere to ethical guidelines. At MISA-Botswana, we have been actively working to bridge this gap through training programmes on election reporting, gender reporting, Digital Rights and Data Protection, and other critical topics. We have also engaged publishers on the challenges they face and mitigation thereof.
However, financial support from other stakeholders is crucial to continue these efforts and ensure the sustainability of quality journalism in Botswana. Therefore, as Botswana embarks on this journey to revitalise its media sector, collaboration between government, media practitioners and industry stakeholders is essential. A strong, independent and professional media industry is not just beneficial to journalists but is a cornerstone of democracy. Most of it all, it ensures that citizens remain informed, engaged and empowered for better decision-making and participatory democracy. *Thomas Nkhom is MISA- Botswana chairperson