Botswana at 59: Time for the media to reclaim its voice
Kabo Ramasia | Monday October 6, 2025 06:00
For nearly six decades, the press has been an indispensable part of our national story, chronicling our progress while exposing our shortcomings. But today, questions loom large about whether the media still carries the same democratic weight it once did. From the earliest days of independence, newspapers such as Mmegi, The Botswana Guardian, and The Voice, along with radio broadcasters, took on the dual task of informing a young democracy and holding leaders accountable. They reported on the building of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, but also gave space to questions about corruption, inequality, and governance. Through their work, they helped entrench a culture where power could be scrutinised, not simply obeyed. Yet, at 59 years, Botswana’s media is under pressure like never before. The challenges are as much economic as they are political. In a small advertising market, many outlets rely heavily on government advertising to stay afloat. This business model has, however, come under severe strain over the years with pandemics like COVID-19, economic downturns, and more and more audiences shifting to digital platforms.
This has resulted in more revenue moving online, over and above the fact that for a small economy like Botswana, having to compete for a small pie from government advertising with many media houses facing existential threats was always going to be a great challenge. Plus, this heavy financial dependence on government advertising risks compromising editorial independence as some have always argued. This is because they think stories that might offend advertisers are softened or buried. The situation is worsened by the dominance of state-owned media, which too often functions as a government mouthpiece rather than a true public service broadcaster. The national conversation, as a result, is skewed. With the evolution of the Botswana media landscape in the past years, at the same time, the digital revolution has brought both opportunities and threats. Social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have given citizens new avenues to share information and challenge authority. Citizen journalism has brought issues to light faster than traditional outlets. But these platforms have also amplified misinformation, sensationalism, and toxic discourse. In this crowded information space, the professional press should provide credibility, context, and balance. Too often, however, it has been caught competing for clicks rather than digging for truth. Consequently, the press has endured what may essentially amount to unfair criticism amid these threats as posed by the era of information disorders.
These trends raise uncomfortable questions. Is the media still the fearless watchdog that Botswana’s democracy requires? Or is it sliding into irrelevance at the very moment the nation faces mounting challenges: youth unemployment, inequality, corruption scandals, and declining trust in institutions? If the media is to remain relevant, it must reclaim its democratic voice. This means more than reporting events; it requires investigative journalism, rigorous analysis, and an unflinching commitment to the public interest. It means asking hard questions of those in power, even when it risks financial or political backlash. It also means amplifying the voices of the marginalised, not just the elite, so that the democratic conversation reflects the lived realities of all Batswana. But so far, all seems not lost. Recently, the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) issued five (5) non-commercial broadcasting licences to community radio stations. This move is anticipated to broaden up spaces for discourse and offer platforms for expression to the otherwise neglected or forgotten groups. This will aid plurality in media with divergent societal views presented across platforms. However, to achieve growth, introspection is necessary.
Journalists must hold themselves to higher ethical standards and resist the lure of sensationalism. Media houses must explore new revenue models that reduce reliance on state or corporate advertising—subscriptions, partnerships, and digital innovation should all be part of the mix. Training in digital literacy and investigative methods must become central to newsrooms. Regulators, for their part, must avoid any temptation to silence critical voices under the pretext of order or stability. Botswana has long been celebrated as one of Africa’s most stable democracies. But democracy is never guaranteed. Around the world, we see how quickly press freedom can erode when vigilance is lost. Botswana is not immune to these pressures. At 59 years of independence, we must ask whether our media is strong enough to guard against authoritarian drift, or whether complacency has dulled its edge. The founders of this republic envisioned a democracy grounded in openness, accountability, and public debate.
The media was meant to be a central pillar of that vision. Today, as Botswana looks ahead to its 60th anniversary, the press must decide whether to continue as a muted bystander or to rise again as the uncompromising voice of the people. The choice is clear. Without a strong, independent, and courageous media, our democracy risks losing its soul. *Kabo Ramasia is a Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)-Botswana National Governing Council Member. He writes in his personal capacity.