Mmegi

Even flawed journalism is often better than no journalism at all

 Nkhoma
Nkhoma

Even flawed journalism is often better than no journalism at all. However, this is not an excuse for poor reporting but a caution against the dangerous notion that Botswana’s entire media profession has somehow “failed the nation” as some voices have recently argued in the wake of Bridget Motsepe’s exoneration from the P100 billion saga.

Criticism of the media is healthy and necessary in a democracy. However, sweeping condemnations lack nuance, evidence and ultimately misunderstand the media’s role in society. Journalism does not operate in a vacuum.

As scholars such as Denis McQuail have long explained, the media reflects and interrogates society while simultaneously being shaped by it. It is not a puppet simply “playing a script” as some critics claim.

Editor's Comment
Public servants deserve better than union infighting

‘The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds’.- Abraham LincolnUntil then, the Council’s operations remain suspended, delaying critical decisions affecting thousands of public sector employees.The current standoff is between the Manual Workers Union on one side and the Six Cooperating Trade Unions, namely BONU, BOPEU, BTU, BDU, BOSETU and...

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