Democracy is fragile, media must wake up

Let us be honest. The world feels a little shaky nowadays. Democracy, that word we used to say with such pride, now feels fragile. Since 2019, the global democratic landscape has seen six straight years of decline. Think about that. Six years of backsliding. Elections are more contested, parliaments are weaker, and public trust is dangerously low. Across the world, the press -that once mighty pillar of democracy - is under siege. And here at home, we would be naïve to think Botswana is immune.

I remember covering one of the past general elections in a rural area. It was dusty, hot, but full of hope. An elderly woman would say to me, “ke batla gore bana ba me ba nne le bokamoso jo bo botoka”. She did not speak about politicians or parties. She spoke about faith in the process.