This year’s World Press Freedom Day was commemorated last Saturday. Here in Botswana, this year’s commemoration is particularly significant. It marks the first World Press Freedom Day under the new administration. Most of us are in a spirit of cautious optimism — hopeful that this government will take meaningful steps to strengthen the foundations of press freedom and transparency. Our optimism isn't without reason. Many of those in leadership today stood with us in years past, shoulder to shoulder, in advocating for greater media freedom.
That shared history gives us hope. But it also gives us cause to remind this administration — respectfully but firmly — of its responsibility to uphold the values it once championed. We are encouraged by early signs of engagement with the media, particularly efforts aimed at fostering mutual trust between government and the press. This relationship isn't just about us — it is ultimately about the people’s right to information, which must remain paramount in any democratic society. However, it would be remiss of us not to raise a concern that has caused growing unease within the media fraternity. It relates to the manner in which the President has, on occasion, used public platforms to criticise the media. Whilst we commend his willingness to meet the press — a welcome departure from past practice — we believe that such forums should not be used to undermine journalists or their work. More troubling still is the recent trend of labelling critical news coverage as 'Fake News', especially when such labels are emblazoned across the front pages of newspapers on official social media channels. Such actions aren't only unbecoming of the highest office in the land; they risk dragging the presidency into an undignified exchange with the media — an outcome that serves neither the institution of the presidency nor the public interest. It is our sincere hope that we can move beyond these tensions.
