The notice presented to the Registrar and Master of the High Court last Friday states the Press Council of Botswana (PCB) as the first among the 32 applicants and the Attorney General as the respondent. The applicants consist of media houses, trade unions and individuals. The case has not yet been allocated a judge.
Applicants argue that the definition of media practitioner in section 2 of the Act is overboard and violates section 12 of the Constitution to the extent that it encompasses non-members of the media. "In order to remedy this defect the words 'a person engaged in writing, editing or transmitting of news and information to the public, and includes' should be deleted from the definition". They further argue that some sections of the Act are inconsistent with the Constitution - such sections as Section 6 (1) that requires the registration and accreditation of media practitioners; Section 11(1) and 15(1) that provides for the minister to appoint members of the Complaints and Appeals Committee.
