Balancing respect for cultural traditions with realities of modern journalism
THOMAS NKHOMA | Monday August 11, 2025 10:59
Nowhere is this tension more pronounced than in the reporting of the death of prominent individuals, a moment steeped in emotion, public interest, and increasingly, misinformation. Traditionally in Botswana and across much of Africa, the passing of an individual, especially a respected public figure, is treated with utmost cultural sensitivity. The family, elders, and community leaders follow defined protocols to inform relatives before any public announcement is made. The practice is rooted in values of respect, dignity, and communal mourning. However, these norms were meaningful in a time when news travelled by word of mouth, when a funeral announcement was made at the kgotla or via Radio Botswana (Ditatolo programme) days later. Consequently, in today’s digital reality, where social media has overtaken conventional news cycles, the expectation that journalists will hold back until next of kin have been informed is no longer practical nor always possible.
The world has changed. We now live in a digital reality where information moves in real-time. Within minutes of an incident, unverified posts, voice notes, and photos begin to circulate, often amplified by well-meaning but uninformed users. Whether verified or not, the public consumes that information as “truth” and runs with it. By the time a journalist attempts to verify the information, the public may already be flooded with a mix of speculation, half-truths, and outright falsehoods. This phenomenon is part of the broader issue of information disorders - the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation - which journalists now navigate daily. In the emotional fog following the death of a prominent person, false reports of their passing (or survival), misattributed quotes, or inaccurate details about the cause of death often go viral long before a credible news outlet publishes anything. In such a landscape, expecting the media to remain silent while disinformation runs unchecked puts journalists in a difficult position. By not reporting, the media risks ceding ground to social media speculation.
By reporting too early, they risk appearing disrespectful or culturally insensitive. So, what is the solution? It starts with journalistic responsibility. Media practitioners must continue to uphold rigorous verification processes - double-checking sources, confirming with families where possible, and maintaining ethical standards. Moreover, it must also include public cooperation. Families, spokespersons or official channels should understand the importance of timely as well as accurate communication. A simple official statement released through a verified channel can help curb disinformation and give journalists a credible reference point. Once verified, it becomes a matter of public interest, especially if the individual held public office, wielded national influence or symbolised something important to the collective consciousness. Therefore, the most important thing is that cultural norms should not be viewed as immovable obstacles but as evolving practices that can adapt to new realities. Journalists are not working to undermine Setswana values. They are operating in an environment where silence allows falsehoods to fester. The longer the media waits, the more space they leave for conspiracy theories and in some cases, dangerous misinformation.
This means the onus is also on society to support responsible journalism. Families of public figures can help by preparing early for crisis communication, just as institutions and public officials now have media strategies for managing sensitive developments. Journalists, on their part, can strive to be sensitive in tone and framing, thus reporting with empathy and accuracy while recognising the public’s right to know. Ultimately, the question is not whether journalists should respect culture. In fact, they must. The question is how to balance that respect with their professional duty to report the truth promptly in an era where information, true or false, knows no gatekeepers. As seasoned journalists would often say, “If you don’t tell the story right, someone else will tell it wrong.” *Thomas Thos Nkhoma is the MISA-Botswana chairperson