What is wrong, Dr Ramsay?

| Wednesday June 23, 2010 00:00

We in the media have always understood that cabinet meetings are a no-go area for journalists and we have been content with that arrangement.

We have never asked nor insisted that we be allowed to sit at these meetings that, in his words, discuss 'sensitive' national issues. No Sir, we as the media could never even begin to ask for such a thing, and would look askance at any colleague who does so.

That is why Ramsay's misdirected instruction manual on how cabinet holds its meetings is completely uncalled for.

What the media has complained about, and will continue to query, is government's apparent shift towards a private media blackout. We have cited examples from Francistown where the private media was chased away from a full council meeting that was being addressed by President Ian Khama.

We have complained about the fact that a Midweek Sun team was recently barred by a senior official at OP and presidential media liaison person, Sipho Madisa, from covering a courtesy call on the president by  England's Prince Harry.  Further, an invitation from the Gaborone City Council stated that the private media would not be allowed to attend its full council meeting during an address by Khama. That invite was issued on the same day, June 14, that the Midweek Sun team was barred from covering Prince Harry's courtesy call. 

These assertions are not misguided, Ramsay, assuming your attack on the media was provoked by them.  Finally Dr Ramsay, government is not a private business.

In as much as we believe cabinet should be allowed to deliberate privately, we insist that cabinet is obliged to update the nation about its performance.

In the end, it is the nation that tasked cabinet, as elected representatives, with their assignments.

It is an onerous task that Dr Ramsay has, namely that of defending the indefensible. As the private media, it has never been our intention to malign government. We have duly given credit to government when it is due. That we will continue to do. At the same time, it would be negligent of us as the media to fail to point out dangerous traits that we see in government. Dr Ramsay, as a former journalist should be well-aware of this duty. We have no doubt that Dr Ramsay, like his bosses at OP love this country and only mean well. So do we. The difference is that as the media, we voice out societal sentiments. When the nation is unhappy about something, we report it. When government displays tendencies that are anti-democratic, we have every reason to show our disdain. We will not encourage a system that fails to pay heed to the people. Batswana are worried that democracy as a virtue is dying in their country. We are worried. It is our bet that many among those who publicly declare that all is well go home every night and kick themselves for being Joseph Goebbels while the country is slipping into the abyss. Yes, we understand Dr Ramsay and many of his peers in government must put bread on the table, but they must avoid too much spin even on straight-forward issues.

                                                            Today's thought

'I think it is absolutely essential in a democracy to have competition in the media, a lot of competition, and we seem to be moving away from that.'

                                                        - Walter Cronkite