Media freedom: Unfulfilled promises

Kabo Morwaeng PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Kabo Morwaeng PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

As the world commemorates World Press Day on May 3, we look back at the promises of President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s-led government to repeal the Media Practitioners Act, before coming up with a piece of legislation that is inclusive and representative of the interests of media industry players. There are worries in some quarters that the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government could have reneged on its 2019 general election promises. Writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

After wider consultations with stakeholders and promising to bring to Parliament a new piece of legislation regulating media workers, there have been delays on the side of government to deliver on its promises. Before the last session of Parliament, Minister for State President, Kabo Morwaeng rounded up media houses and other stakeholders promising to deliver on the government promises. Looking at the clock, it has been four full years with Masisi at the helm and it does not seem the promised delivery will be made anytime soon.

During his visit to the Dikgang Publishing Company (DPC), publishers of Mmegi and The Monitor newspapers, Morwaeng had promised: “The new media law will be presented to Parliament in the next sitting, which commences next week. Before the law is gazetted, it will be brought to you as stakeholders. We are going to repeal the current media law. Others were thinking that we should just repeal.”

Editor's Comment
‘Boraboko’ should face the wrath of the law

Still in Molepolole, a young woman was also reported missing, only for her decapitated body to be found inside in a shallow grave! The issue of missing persons has always been a challenge in our country, and a considerable number of missing persons are unfortunately found dead! Something troubling is the murders related to missing persons, which touch on an array of issues, including the killing of intimate partners, often referred to as passion...

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