These clarities are boring

| Thursday June 27, 2013 00:00

The first was from the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, accusing the media of distorting facts about the labour situation in Botswana and slamming BOFEPUSU. 

First, we must mention that the ministry is never available to clarify any 'distortions' before print or answer queries, except when it calls a press briefing to publicise its agenda or projects. We have tried many times before to contact the ministry's public relations office seeking clarity on several issues but got no response.At best we get a reply after waiting, what seems like, forever.

The same attitude obtains in many other government departments who often ignore our questions, only to react with multi-page statements 'setting the record straight' on what we have published.  We have written many times about the tendency of some government officials to withhold information from the media, even when what is needed is not sensitive.The same happens in some parastatals, who would prefer to sit on information only to release it in the form of a rebuttal to a story that had found its way into the public domain.  This thing must stop.  PROs must appreciate that they are under obligation to share information with the public.  Their job is to release information as and when requested to do so to update and inform the public.

In recent years, we have had big scandals that have cost the taxpayer billions of Pula, which are still unexplained even today. We would like to remind public relations officers and their bosses that failure to do their jobs is tantamount to sabotaging the nation.  Their actions amount to a massive cover-up of scandals in government. They should know that their duty is not to protect civil service thieves, deadwood and miscreants.  Wake up, stop complaining and let us work together to keep this beautiful nation informed.

                                           Today's thought'The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured.'

                                        - Dean Acheson