Opposition condemn 'militarisation' of state media

Media activists see the governments move to put people from security forces at the Mass Media Complex as an assault on freedom of the press. The executive director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Botswana), Thapelo Ndlovu said if such reports are true, they are alarming. He said the reports come at a time when there is already concern about the militarisation of the civil service. 

He said if the government can make such appointments, it shows that it does not take journalism seriously.  "We can't readily accept that. Are there no people who qualify for such positions," he asked.  He wondered why the government is not advertising the positions as  is the normal procedure. Ndlovu said MISA is worried about the militarisation of the civil service especially if it is going to affect the government media as well.