It was once withdrawn before it could reach Parliament by the then minister of Communication, Science and Technology, Boyce Sebetela after it was rejected by media organisations and civil so,ciety. Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi obviously believes this is the right time for this Bill to get through Parliament.
This Bill has many flaws, which indicate an ominous future for the media in Botswana if it were to become law. It comes at a time when a man who has often expressed his disdain for the media is the Republican president. President Khama's low opinion of the media was never in doubt. Not only that, this piece of legislation comes at a time when every ounce of independence has been exorcised from Parliament. The recent beating into line of MP, Botsalo Ntuane, demonstrates that the Executive branch wants to have its way easier this time around, after the very critical phase last year when a somewhat vociferous Backbench questioned the Executive at every turn. Furthermore, the Executive, by swallowing some of the independent backbenchers, such as Keletso Rakhudu, into its fold, has made sure that things will be much easier this time around.
