'If BDP Can Have BTV, I Want It Too-Kanjabanga'

By Lekopanye Mooketsi
Correspondent | Monday April 19, 2010 00:00

 

The Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) incorporates Radio Botswana and Botswana Television (Btv). 

BNF activist, Gabriel Kanjabanga, has demanded that he should be allowed a slot on the government television station just as they have been doing for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). 

Kanjabanga, also a private lawyer, threatened that if the Department of Broadcasting Services does not comply with his demand, he will take them to court. The fiery activist said he wanted to be accorded the same privileges as any Botswana citizen. 

Kanjabanga said the BDP was given a chance to address its factional issues through the state media. He said factions equally riddle the BNF and he would like to be accorded the same courtesy to address party members. 

Kanjabanga said he would not tolerate a situation whereby the BDP is favoured by the state media at the expense of other political parties.

In his response on Friday, Kaboeamodimo said he wanted to know on whose behalf Kanjabanga intended to make the statement. He also wants to know whether Kanjabanga has been mandated by his organisation.

'Would you have a write up to enable us to make an assessment of the suitability or otherwise of it for broadcast? Roughly how much airtime in terms of minutes or hours do you estimate you would require as the anticipated duration would enable us to determine a suitable programme slot,' Kaboeamodimo wrote in a response to Kanjabanga.

'Kindly take note that in deciding whether or not to air any public broadcast, it is our practice and procedure to make the following considerations:

*whether the intended broadcast is in the best/national interests of the country. *the most appropriate forum of medium for the broadcast, that is as a news clip, a single interview, discussion programme or statement being read by a designated reader and *airtime schedule as to whether to make a live or delayed broadcast among others,' the letter said.  The embattled Kaboeamodimo is hoping that the requested clarification will enable them to conclude the matter. 

When he was contacted, a delighted Kanjabanga said he would supply the department with all the information it requires. But he said there is no need for him to be mandated by the party. 

He said when former president, Sir Ketumile Masire, was speaking about his mediation role on both television and radio, he was not delegated by the BDP.  Kanjabanga said since the DBS delayed the responce to his demands, he had already instructed his lawyers to take legal action. He is now prepared to smoke the peace pipe due to the latest developments. He will not take the matter to court if the departments meet his demand.

Since last year, opposition parties have been protesting that Btv is biased towards the BDP. Before last year's general elections, Btv covered all the rallies that were addressed by President Ian Khama and Vice-President Mompati Merafhe. 

The state media claimed that protocol dictates that the president and his deputy should be accorded full coverage even on political matters. Since infighting broke out in the BDP this year, the official media seems to be taking sides with the central committee. 

Btv and Radio Botswana did not cover the landmark meeting in Mogoditshane where members of the Barata-Phathi faction of the BDP agreed to form a breakaway party. But Btv broadcast a statement in which the BDP warned their members not to attend the Barata-Phathi meeting. 

After the Barata-Phathi meeting, the government media continued to interview only the members of the central committee, while snubbing members of the Barata-Phathi.

Even recently, the government media broadcast a statement in which the BDP was expelling Kabo Morwaeng and Sidney Pilane who are identified with Barata-Phathi.  But the state media did not interview the two activists. 

After last year's general elections, the government media was moved to the Office of the President. Many see this move as an attempt to put the state media under tight control.