Judge hails media role in corruption fight

"The media in Botswana should be applauded for reporting on cases of corruption and others of abuse of public office but care must be taken in appreciating those accused remain innocent until proven guilty after a trial in a court of law," he said at the World Press Freedom Day held in Francistown on Saturday under the theme: 'Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media'.

He advised that comments imputing guilt before trial must be avoided. Ketlogetswe said that the media in Botswana has had few challenges related to lawsuits arising out of print materials regarded as defamatory. "The situation is avoidable if, resources permitting, in house training and continuous journalistic training can be undertaken. I think there are people out there who will help empower newspaper reporters on how to separate facts from comments on those facts, in the same newspaper article," said the judge.