Oversight institutions need vigilant, responsible media to protect democracy
Thomas Nkhoma | Monday August 18, 2025 10:55
That invitation was not just a personal milestone, but a powerful reminder of a truth I have long believed: that effective oversight institutions, such as the Ombudsman and a vigilant press, are not just natural partners. They are democracy’s frontline defence against corruption, mismanagement, and social injustice.
Here in Botswana, that truth has been on vivid display in recent weeks. The Office of the Ombudsman announced it is investigating two serious cases, both sparked by a form of fearless and fact-based journalism that refuses to look away from uncomfortable truths.
The first investigation was prompted by a story headlined “Marina’s ER Ward is Hell on Earth”. That was no exaggerated tabloid drama. It was a sobering account of severe overcrowding, critical shortages of medical staff, a lack of hospital beds, and ambulances stretched beyond capacity. The article described patients being treated on the floor and enduring excessive delays in receiving urgent care at Princess Marina Hospital’s emergency unit.
The second investigation follows another equally disturbing headline: “Patients Are Given Infected Blood.” In the report, Botswana Doctors Union alleges that patients have been exposed to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products at the National Blood Bank.
It is unlikely either of these issues would have gained the same level of national attention or official action, without the media doing what it does best - asking uncomfortable questions, demanding evidence, and refusing to let serious allegations fade quietly away. This is what we mean when we talk about the social responsibility of journalism. Done right, it does not just inform the public. It safeguards the public interest.
When the media takes its role seriously, it ensures that power, whether in government, business, or civil society, is exercised with accountability. It holds the torch in dark corners where neglect, incompetence, or outright wrongdoing might otherwise fester, hidden away from public view.
Nonetheless, the watchdog role is not just about sniffing out wrongdoing. It is about serving people. That means the media must be people-driven. Its first loyalty is to the citizens whose rights, health, and futures are on the line. The best journalism tells stories not to sell papers or drive clicks but to give voice to the voiceless, prompt redress where harm has occurred, and protect the integrity of public institutions. Oversight bodies such as the Ombudsman can only act on what is visible, and it is often journalists who bring those hidden injustices into the light.
Yet, in the digital age, this vital mission is complicated by a new and dangerous challenge - information disorders. Misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation spread like wildfire online, often faster than fact-checkers or responsible reporters can keep up. Social media has given anyone with a smartphone the power to broadcast. However, power without ethics can be dangerous.
Too often, these falsehoods are propagated by unethical or untrained “citizen journalists” who bypass professional editorial checks and ethical standards that give legitimate media its credibility. Now, to be fair, citizen reporting can and does play an important role in surfacing local issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. But without the discipline of verification, context, and fairness, it can just as easily poison public discourse, erode trust in reputable news sources, and even undermine the work of oversight bodies themselves.
In this age, when the first tweet can outpace the truth by hours or days, the stakes are simply too high to get it wrong. Oversight institutions depend on credible, well-researched reporting to amplify their findings, hold leaders accountable, and mobilise public action where it is needed most. That is why media literacy, strong ethical standards and a commitment to accuracy are not just professional ideals. They are democratic necessities.
A vigilant but irresponsible media is a double-edged sword. It can cut down corruption one day and shred the truth the next. Conversely, a vigilant and responsible media is democracy’s strongest shield against abuse, neglect, and impunity.
If Botswana truly wants to strengthen the link between oversight institutions and public accountability, both must commit to standing firm against the twin threats of secrecy and falsehood. Institutions such as the Ombudsman must continue to see the press not as a nuisance to be managed but as an indispensable partner in service of the public good. On the other hand, the media must, in turn, guard its credibility like a treasure, never sacrificing truth for the sake of speed or sensationalism.
Because at the end of the day, a watchdog that barks at everything loses its authority, while a watchdog that never barks is useless. Our aim should be to ensure that the watchdog both barks and protects, and does so with integrity. Only then can we say with confidence that democracy is not just surviving but thriving.
*Thomas Thos Nkhoma is MISA-Botswana Chairperson
Because at the end of the day, a watchdog that barks at everything loses its authority while a watchdog that never barks is useless, writes THOMAS THOS NKHOMA*