Boko recently told a Cabinet retreat held at the Pavillion conference facility in Gaborone to defend freedom of expression.
At a meeting that was also attended by various senior government officials, the President whose government is human rights slant, started off by recognising members of the Fourth Estate and the work that they are doing, “including the spread of fake news.”
He told his Cabinet: “ I was reading last night, reminding myself of freedom of expression. And I reminded myself that freedom of expression must be defended, even most when it hurts. Not only when it flatters. Because sometimes it flatters only to deceive.”
He also indicated that when freedom of expression, “hurts us, we must put our bodies in line for defence. Freedom of expression is one of the most important fundamental rights that are enshrined in the Constitution.”
He said that’s why in the jurisprudence of the USA, it is an important right and can hardly ever be abridged or restricted.
Boko was emphasising the position of the UDC government that it allows the media to report on issues of public interest without interference from the government. This helps to ensure that the media is independent and free to hold the government accountable.
Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa told Mmegi this week, President Boko was actually articulating the position of the UDC-led government when addressing the Cabinet retreat. “Boko was actually articulating the position of the UDC when addressing that meeting,” highlighted Mohwasa this week.
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy as it allows people to hold diverse opinion and participate in public debate. The UN General Assembly proclaimed freedom of expression as a fundamental human right in 1948.
At Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana chapter, the body that advocates for media freedom, they are elated about the new development at the presidency.
“At MISA Botswana, we welcome the President's remarks, which offer hope for a future where the media in Botswana operates in an environment that upholds free speech and media freedom as fundamental principles,” MISA Botswana chairperson, Thomas Nkhoma told Mmegi this week.
To him, these assurances must go beyond mere promises and translate into tangible actions.
He added: “We are particularly encouraged by the initiative taken by the Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa, who convened a Media Consultative Forum in December last year. The forum, held in collaboration with MISA Botswana and the Editors Forum, provided a platform to address critical issues such as media sustainability, access to information, and the welfare of journalists.”
Following the forum, Nkhoma indicated that they compiled a comprehensive report outlining actionable recommendations, “and we eagerly await feedback on the proposed way forward. Implementing these recommendations will empower the media to fulfil its watchdog role effectively and responsibly, ultimately benefiting all citizens.”
As stakeholders, MISA Botswana remains committed to fostering a media environment that is both vibrant and accountable, ensuring it contributes meaningfully to Botswana’s democratic processes.
In his comment, chairperson of Botswana Editors Forum (BEF), Lawrence Seretse remarked that President Boko’s renewed pledge to uphold freedom of expression and support a free press “is a welcome shift that many of us in the media have long awaited. During his days in opposition, he experienced first hand the suppression of the previous regime.”
Seretse further indicated that, “ there were moments when we faced arrest and he personally intervened to secure my team’s release, confronting security agents on our behalf. There are several similar cases of his interventions.”
Beyond these fundamental freedoms, Seretse said there is also a pressing need to ensure the economic sustainability of journalism as a press that cannot pay its reporters, invest in investigative work, or maintain editorial independence is a dying press—and a dying press is just as ineffective as one that is actively censored.
“For instance, we have seen newspapers reduce coverage due to financial constraints, leaving critical stories untold and the public less informed while leaving a vacuum for the proliferation of irresponsible and reckless reporting,” the BEF chairperson pointed.
The BEF minimum expectation according to Seretse now is that President Boko’s administration—cognisant of these sensitivities—will protect and bolster press freedoms in every sense, including creating an environment where media outlets can thrive economically. “As the Botswana Editors Forum, we anticipate a future in which not a single journalist is harassed for simply doing their job, and no media house is stifled by financial hardship or political pressure. President Boko’s personal history with media persecution should serve as a powerful reminder that our voices must not only remain free—but viable, sustainable, and uncompromised—under his government,” he concluded.
University of Botswana lecturer in politics and administrative studies, Adam Mfundisi acknowledged this week to have, “heard and read about the President's articulations on the need to promote and defend the freedom of expression and opinion.”
“ As a human rights legal guru, it is not puzzling to hear these noble words of determination and will to foster a culture of pluralism admitting the existence of diverse interests, views, opinions, identities, thoughts within society and body politics,” explained Mfundisi who is a public policy analyst.
His view is that freedom of expression and opinion are fundamental human rights in democratic societies. “They are pillars of democratic governance. These allow citizens to articulate thoughts, opinions, and ideas with fear of recriminations.”
He noted that the universal declaration of human rights and the Botswana Constitution provide for the promotion and protection of freedom of expression and opinion.
He emphasises that the role of free speech in the democratic landscape is essential in ensuring the dignity and autonomy of citizens to partake in the decision-making processes. An informed citizenry is able to demand political accountability from the government and its leadership.
Botswana has emerged from the previous rule of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rule where the freedom of expression was more rhetoric than reality.
He observed that there had been diminishing rights to protest by citizens in Botswana. People were subjected to police brutality as evidenced in Serowe before the dawn of a new Republic after the 2024 General Election.
“Serowe subjects were denied the right to assembly and expression on matters bordering on tribal issues and interests. In addition, freedom of speech and freedom of the press were under threat during the BDP rule. Legislations were passed to curtail the freedom of expression, assembly and freedom of the press. For example, the National Security Act eroded the freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” Mfundisi said.
Taking the above into perspective, Mfundisi indicated that the commitment by the UDC government and President Boko on the promotion and protection of the fundamental rights to free speech and freedom of the press is commendable. Language transmits strong messages in the political discourse and President Boko has mastered the art of effective communication.
“Language and politics are intertwined hence words are meant to appeal to the hearts and minds of the people to support government policy.”
President Boko is utilising different devices, strategies and arguments to appeal to the emotions, feelings, motives and interests of the people. The effective use of ethos, pathos and logos in his speeches resonate with the masses. These canons of rhetoric in policy discourses should be followed by concrete actions, decisions, and deliverables to have impact on the lives of the people.
The UB lecturer insists that Boko should deliver on the promise for a comprehensive constitutional review to develop a Constitution that is anchored on human rights and the rule of law. In addition, the current government should establish a human rights body or institution to promote and defend human rights in Botswana. Moreover, the right to information and transparency must become the cornerstone of democratic governance.
