The consultations began in January this year. A document titled “Business Case Proposal for Transitioning Broadcasting Services and Information Services from State to Public Media”, developed by the Botswana Government Communications and Information System (BGCIS), outlines the rationale for this shift. It states: “The strategic shift is essential for cultivating a media environment that champions independence, accountability, and variety, ultimately driving a more informed citizenry.”
The distinction between state media and public service media is crucial. State media is owned and operated by the government of the day, funded by taxpayers but often used to promote the interests of the ruling administration. While it may offer public service content, it can also serve as a vehicle for government propaganda.
In contrast, public service media is established to serve the interests of all citizens, not just those in power. It is typically enshrined in law, funded by public resources, and guided by editorial independence, impartiality, and a mandate to inform, educate, and entertain the public without political bias.
For nearly six decades, the national airwaves—Radio Botswana and later Botswana Television—have served the state. They have informed, entertained, and educated generations. But they have also been the subject of persistent criticism: accused of bias, of amplifying ruling party narratives while muting dissenting voices, and of operating as instruments of government public relations rather than public service.
The new Government has rightly committed to transforming Radio Botswana and Botswana Television into an independent public broadcaster. This is an essential democratic reform—and an opportunity to build a credible institution that informs, educates, and unites the nation - a true public broadcaster that serves all citizens equally, regardless of political affiliation, economic status, or geographic location.
This is not just a political issue. It is a democratic one. Public broadcasting is one of the foundations of a functioning democracy. It provides a shared space where citizens from all walks of life can encounter diverse views, access reliable news, and engage with cultural and educational content that reflects the full spectrum of national life. Done right, it helps build national identity, promote social cohesion, and empower an informed and active citizenry.
But getting it right requires care. This transformation must be carefully planned. Broadcasting, by its nature, is immediate, powerful, and influential. Missteps could damage public trust or disrupt a relatively functional institution. The transformation from state to public broadcaster cannot be a simple name change. It must be about more than just branding. It must involve deep, structural reform—starting with legislation that clearly defines the broadcaster’s independence, public service mandate, and governance framework.
A new Public Broadcasting Act should clearly define its mandate, governance structures, funding model, and oversight mechanisms. This is not merely a technical reform. It is a nation-building project. The broadcaster we design today will shape public discourse, civic education, and national identity for decades to come. It must have the right foundation—transparent, inclusive, and professionally sound.
The new broadcaster must be free from political control, accountable to the public, and run by professionals, not civil servants. This is an an opportunity to create a truly independent public broadcaster that reflects the voices, values, and diversity of all Batswana as opposed to one that reports to the executive, and routinely criticized for its perceived partiality.
Governance is key. A Board of Governors must be appointed through an open, transparent, and merit-based process, representing a broad cross-section of society—not just political allies. There must be a strong editorial policy, developed with public input, that guarantees balance, fairness, and journalistic integrity. And both the board and editorial staff must be insulated from interference—whether from government or commercial interests.
It is also vital that the transition process is inclusive and responsible. Crucially, the transition must be handled with sensitivity and foresight. The existing workforce, many of whom have served the nation with dedication under difficult conditions, should not be discarded in haste. Instead, a skills audit is needed, retraining programs, and clear communication to ensure that staff are supported, not blindsided, by the reform process.
There will be voices that caution against moving too fast—and they are not wrong to ask for caution. Broadcasting is a delicate ecosystem. But the risk of doing too little is greater than the risk of doing too much. If the transformation is delayed or diluted the opportunity to build a broadcaster that truly belongs to the people may be missed.
Public broadcasting is not a luxury. It is a national asset. And it must be treated as such: protected by law, guided by principle, and fueled by the public interest—not political expediency.
The government has taken the first step by launching consultations. It is now up to all citizens—media professionals, civil society, political actors, and the public at large—to help shape this new institution. This is the moment for citizens to reclaim the airwaves and make them work for every Motswana, now and for generations to come.
