Media regulation needs review

Granted, government is an interested party in the affairs of the media and it should be listened to when it raises concerns about how the media conducts itself.The haunting question is whether the subject of regulations has been adequately debated, especially in the press. In 2002, the media in Botswana debated the issue of self-regulation.

The country now has a Press Complaints Committee (PCC) and Press Council.Given the establishment of the PCC and the Press Council, it comes as a surprise that the Botswana government has come up with a bill that seeks regulation of the media! The difference is that government will now have the power to determine who will chair the Press Council and who becomes a journalist according to the requirements of registration and accreditation contained in the new bill.