Advertising ban unconstitutional
Mmegi Editor | Wednesday March 4, 2015 11:10
The Permanent Secretary to the President Carter Morupisi confirmed this in an interview with a local publication, claiming it was nothing sinister but a cost cutting measure.
It is, however, surprising that this ‘cost cutting’ measure was targeted at newspapers that have reported extensively on incidents of maladministration and corruption in government. The concerned newspapers are Mmegi, Botswana Guardian/Midweek Sun, Sunday Standard, The Patriot on Sunday, The Weekend Post, and The Monitor. We have learnt that the ban has also affected Gabz FM, and Yarona FM radio stations.
In a democracy, independent media is the yardstick used to measure the level of tolerance by those in power; how they handle criticism, how they accommodate dissenting voices, and most importantly, how they disseminate information to those they rule. It is surprising that this decision was made at a time when the ruling Botswana Democratic Party announced intentions to mend their relationship with the independent media.
We now have to wonder who is responsible for this decision to ban government advertising, and why? Did the individuals take into consideration the 2001 High Court ruling in favour of Botswana Guardian, in which the publication had challenged government’s decision to deny them advertising on grounds that it was too critical?
We vividly remember that Justice Isaac Lesetedi made it clear that the pressure on the newspapers to change their editorial policy infringed on their right to freedom of expression. What the government was doing, said the Judge, was telling the newspapers that if they wanted to continue to “enjoy the benefit of receiving advertising from government, they should conform to a reportage that falls within what it considers to be the parameters of editorial freedom.”
Everybody should be concerned when a government they put in power starts to behave like this. Only last month, the MP for Letlhakeng East Liakat Kablay called on government to employ only BDP card-carrying members to senior positions. Regarding the advertising ban, the question is who is next after the media?
Soon there will be a directive that investigators, prosecutors who pursue senior government officials should be stripped of their positions? Are we going to see judges dismissed for ruling against the government? Hold on, the list is shocking! Are we going to witness Parliament holding salaries of opposition MPs because they speak against it? This is unconstitutional, and it remains as such until the High Court decision has been overturned.
We are of the view that this is just another ploy to continue pouring taxpayer’s funds into the accounts of a certain law firm that is government’s favourite, for it is a given, the media is not going to allow this. The media institution should seek the intervention of the High Court.
Today’s thought
“Withholding information is the essence of
tyranny. Control of the flow of information is
the tool of the dictatorship.”
- Bruce Coville