It is Gov�s Responsibility To Nurture Freedom Of Speech
Monday, May 25, 2015
Freedom of expression, or freedom of speech, in a democracy, like the big-eared fox, tells us the heartbeat of our democracy which we all should jealously guard. The absence or lack of instruments of freedom of expression of divergent views should remind us all that our democracy is on a sickbed and requires urgent surgical attention.
One of those freedoms of expression tools is the independent media. Botswana has reached a time when the growth of the independent media is actively under threat. In a small economy such as Botswana where every sector depends on government business for sustenance, here government has taken a conscious decision to starve the independent media of advertising, a tact deliberately designed to close down critical media houses.
The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...