Editors Forum condemn BNSC media �ban�
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday April 11, 2017 16:15
The Commission has instructed NSAs to ensure that the media only attends the official opening of their meetings. According to the directive from BNSC chief executive officer (CEO), Falcon Sedimo the NSAs were informed that when they discuss other ‘internal’ issues, the media should be excused.
“…so as to allow members of the sport associations to discuss issues without fear of negative publicity,” reads part of the directive.
The directive further states that the BNSC has observed that in some instances, the media portray leaders of sport as people who cannot account for their actions.
“As a principle, the Botswana Editors Forum is against any form of censorship, especially where public organisations or those financed through public money are concerned,” the Forum’s chairperson, Spencer Mogapi told Mmegi Sport.
He said with specific reference to the BNSC, it is deeply regrettable that by closing out the media, the Commission is actually rolling back the flow of information that the public has grown to enjoy, without in the process opening up new avenues.
“We respect the reason given by the CEO that there may be instances where BNSC affiliates might have to robustly debate their internal affairs without fear.
“Unfortunately in his letter the CEO does not make it mandatory for affiliates to put into place structures that where the media has been explicitly barred from proceedings, there should be clear channels of information to the media following such closed door meeting. That is our gripe,” he said.
It appears some associations have a different take on the directive. Over the weekend, the media was allowed to sit through the Botswana Karate Association annual general meeting. The house was given an opportunity to debate the matter and the media was allowed into the rest of the meeting. Botswana Amateur Fencing Federation was also comfortable with the media sitting through proceedings, when the federation held its meeting last week.
However, Botswana Athletics Association and Botswana Volleyball Association recently stuck to the directive, ordering the media out of their annual general meetings.