How Boko belittles Botswana journalists
Staff Writer | Monday December 1, 2025 06:00
Journalism is at a make-or-break juncture with President Duma Boko, appearing to be vehemently leading a crusade against journalists hence endangering its very existence, press freedom and free speech, which ought to be fundamentally protected in any democracy. As the onslaught fast gains momentum, a question that has emerges is that is practicing journalism now a crime in Botswana? Journalists in Botswana are now reeling in shock from the sudden departure from expectations by the incumbent President Boko whose administration had promised cordial relations with media, but indications are that as of now that ideal is very much far-fetched. Boko, a human rights lawyer himself, had promised respect for human rights for all and challenged everyone that under his rule, people should freely express themselves as their constitutional rights were granted and that where they are, they must be criticised. Lo and behold, a year down the line, journalists find themselves at the receiving end of what appears to the president’s wrath. Boko now has shifted stance, instead, choosing to vilify journalists as lacking in credibility and poor at what they do despite government having invested in their training. At the centre of this crusade, what has come clear is that Boko appears aggrieved by certain newspaper publications. Even so, he has not named them nor the article he deemed to have misrepresented him or anyone else as his argument falls. As the rift between Boko and journalists ensues, he has often taken cover in that journalists are a lot that like criticising others but “fear engagement”.
In his usual monologue, often laced with Latin, and infatuation for his Havard Professor who he credits for his philosophy, he has labelled media as peddlers of fake news and in the pursuit of defaming people’s character. Nevertheless, his antics come on the backdrop of a government that made a catalogue of promises to reform the media landscape upon taking over in November 2024. Demonstrating a desire to tackle media industry issues, Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa convened a series of engagements with the media and eventually constituted a Media Law Review Task Force which investigated legislative impediments to journalism, regulation, accreditation, professionalism and media sustainability in Botswana as part of its broader scope. However, in recent memory, Boko’s attitude has contradicted that stance posing serious questions of whether his administration is moving to muzzle free speech or the presidency will forever respond to any publication at any given point.
Historical context
Historically, Botswana has been hailed as a shining example of democracy and for decades Botswana media enjoyed unlimited press freedom despite well documented legislative impediments and threats to journalism such as jailing journalists, harassment by law enforcement organisations like Botswana Police Service (BPS), detention by intelligence agents, lack of access to information laws and intimidations by lawsuits from elites and businesspeople. This was in addition to their poor welfare and remuneration, which compromised journalistic work to an extent. However, over the years, the media, particularly private press, walked tall against the rain. The media has had to grapple with advertising bans under the past Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) fallen regime. Otherwise, available literature denotes that the country has enjoyed a relatively fair state of press freedom.
This is because, the media has been able to carry out its work even in the face of the mounting challenges. Both private and state media have thus contributed to the democratic dispensation of this nation. To the contrary, as state president, Boko, once a passionate critic of state media seem now inclined to it and opposed to private media which comes across as a great shift in perspective. It would be around the year 2008 that the media landscape entirely shifted in Botswana. This was at the dawn of the President Ian Khama's administration who vividly expressed his disdain for the press labelling it as peddlers of fake news. The Khama presidency was characterised by a period of fear, with the DIS a menace to journalists and an advancement of draconian media laws some of which never saw the light of the day. Additionally, in 2018, President Mokgweetsi Masisi would take over. During the Masisi era, the status quo remained with the press enjoying relatively fair press freedom. Nonetheless, instances of abuse cropped up every now and then with the DIS still in the mix.
For that decade, Botswana's rankings continued to decline albeit slowly. Then cometh Boko. Even though his regime started on a clean slate and fairly did well in preserving the same environment. Concerns have begun to emerge with critics arguing that this could be the beginning of an end for the enjoyment of press liberties. Observers noted that Boko should frankly engage with journalism in proper fora and respectfully while doing so. Many view the ridicule, shaming and continual belittling as an indictment on journalism as the president caries massive influence to sway the nation against the media which may complicate democracy when the watchdog role is silenced. Boko has seized any given opportunity to fire salvo at the media. In the process, observers argue that while he maintains that the media is peddling opinions as facts and thus cast a spotlight at their credibility, he has equally done the same in accusing the media of reporting 90% of what’s not truth without any substantial basis.
Speaking on the International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalist earlier this month, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres said media professionals around the globe face numerous challenges in pursuit of truth. Guterres said these include verbal abuse, legal threats, physical attacks, imprisonment and torture and even deaths. Said Guterres: “On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, we demand justice. Worldwide, nearly nine out of ten journalist killings remain unresolved. Gaza has been the deadliest place for journalists in any conflict. I call once again for independent and impartial investigations. Impunity anywhere is not only an injustice to the victims and their families – it is an assault on press freedom, an invitation to further violence, and a threat to democracy itself.” He said that all governments must investigate instances of abuse and prosecute perpetrators. This, he said will ensure that journalists do their work freely everywhere. The UN Secretariat noted the need to confront alarming rise in online abuse against women journalists which remains unpunished and often translates to real-world harm. He stated that digital spaces must be made safe journalists. “When journalists are silenced, we all lose our voice.
Let us stand together to defend press freedom, demand accountability, and ensure those who speak truth to power can do so without fear,” he said. Locally, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)-Botswana Chapter has persistently echoed its concerns about the remarks made by Boko. Despite maintaining that relations with media remain cordial but strained, MISA has welcomed every opportunity to engage with the president alongside other stakeholders such as Botswana Editors Forum and Publishers in this ongoing tension. In a statement released this month, MISA condemned Boko’s attacks on the media during a press briefing. “Such assertions represent a troubling assault on the integrity of the media and pose a serious threat to transparency, accountability, and democratic government in Botswana,” said a MISA statement.