Gaborone North MP, Keletso Rakhudu, plans to postpone tabling his parliamentary motion scheduled for today proposing promulgation of a freedom of information law that could radically contribute to reform Botswana's contemporary journalism law. Rakhudu, who, together with Botsalo Ntuane, has carved a niche as the voice of the modernisation of the Botswana Democratic Party traditionalist policies on the press - and most other facets of Botswana's political life - wants to make space for debating the budget, consult further with friends of journalism and go on a trip to Angola on official parliament business, before he sets another date for his motion, which is likely to be at the end of February. Should Rakhudu's motion see the light of day in the generally conservative Parliament that takes its cue from past BDP tradition that has only cynically acceded to principles of freedom of expression in the constitution and ' an educated and informed' society in Vision 2016, Botswana would be the third African country among 70 in the civilised world which espouse the universal ideals set out in freedom of information laws internationally.
The two other African countries are South Africa, which adopted the Promotion of Access to Information Act in February 2000 for the right reasons. The second is Zimbabwe where President Robert Mugabe signed the infamous Access to Information and Privacy Act, reflected in various shades in Botswana's original Media Communications Bill and its siblings, the Broadcasting and Press Council laws, to impede the cultivation of a vibrant journalism. These laws are buttressed by various other laws the most notorious of which - before the most recent Intelligence and Security Act - would have been the National Security Act which disguised itself as an instrument for the protection and safety of citizens when it actually contravened the core spirit of habeas corpus.
