Of Khama's late entrance and not so rosy retreat - A rebuttal
Correspondent | Friday February 15, 2019 12:01
The article is a remarkable presentation of conjecture and a serious indictment on the professional and/or trade credentials of the writer. We state for the record that Mmegi submitted the names of Koketso Kgoboge and Keoagile Bonang for accreditation to the BDP National Retreat and only Bonang collected the accreditation tag. Koketso Kgoboge did not collect his accreditation tag and could not have gained access into the venue of the retreat from where he purports to report.
In his essay, Kgoboge makes averment that the Party emerged out of the retreat disordered and more bruised than it were prior to the meeting. It is startling that a news report could make such a pejorative remark and make no attempt to validate with fact.
Had he bothered to ask any attendant, Kgoboge would have learnt that the retreat was held under a pleasant atmosphere and the most jovial mood. Members demonstrated unity, tolerance and respect for one another in unparalleled manner. An ethical report would present the facts as were and allow the reader to deduce own interpretation.
Born of the conception of his creative imagination, the writer states that the former President’s arrival put a spanner in the works and disrupted President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi’s “behind closed doors” address and that proceedings came to a halt as the former President entered the room. The fact is that President Dr. Masisi’s address was part of the open session, captured and broadcast live by several media houses and no such disruption occurred. Prior arrangements had been made for the Former President’s communicated late arrival and attendants duly informed.
Having set the record straight, we demand a retraction of the mythical story of Mr. Kgoboge and that this rebuttal be published with the same prominence accorded Mr. Kgoboge’s story.
The flimsy excuse of an inside source may not hold as the reporter did not bother to balance the story with any of the relevant Party officials.
We reiterate our commitment to sustain cordial relations with the media as an important stakeholder in nation building and call upon MISA Botswana and the Botswana Press Council to ensure adherence to reporting ethics.
We thank you.
Issued by
The Communications and International
Relations Committee