Fake News Invented In Botswana � Khama
Ryder Gabathuse | Monday July 10, 2017 15:21
Speaking at the ruling Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) 37th elective congress, the ruling party leader said he recently told someone that since Donald Trump assumed the American presidency, they heard the term fake news. “I want to tell Trump that in fact fake news was invented in Botswana by the local media. Some of them simply choose to write whatever they can in the name of selling their newspapers and press freedom,” Khama decried. He said it does not translate into freedom to report lies.
Addressing thousands of party diehards who had braved the cold weather at the vast ground cleared behind the Tonota College of Education (TCE) grounds last Friday, Khama said that despite the “hostility” of the media, his government has not closed down newspapers and radio stations.
“When they want to sell their newspapers they will say Khama fought with Masire, Khama at Mosu, Khama and the Grippen Jets and all sorts of fake news,” he said.
He threw the congress into laughter when he wondered: “Who is this Khama really that the media bashes?” He added that the media was going to be bored upon his exit next year April 1. Then he quipped: “Maybe I should start my own newspaper so that I could use it to avenge and attack you as well.”
He however assured his followers that theirs was responsible government and would not go all over the country hitting back at the ‘irresponsible’ media by parrying their stories instead they issue rebuttals. “To enrich our democracy, we want good quality reports in this country which could change the lives of our people and show the government its shortcomings and not fake news.”
He said Botswana has been peaceful and calm because his government has been talking issues and not applying repressive laws that would otherwise have closed many news outlets. “We don’t ban trade unions who demand more from us and we don’t persecute judges who rule against us,” he declared describing Botswana as one of the most peaceful countries in the world.