They were essential ethical standards that shaped how information was handled. These principles ensured that sensitive information was not prematurely disclosed, that sources could speak freely without fear of exposure and that legal processes were respected to avoid prejudicing cases before the courts. Adhering to these values allowed journalists to be trusted with confidential documents, advance copies of speeches and insider perspectives. The tradition reinforced journalism’s role as a credible and responsible pillar of society. The principles ensured that information was published at the right time to maintain its integrity. One of the clearest examples of this principle in practice was the handling of the national budget speech. At BOPA, journalists were given advance copies of the speech under strict embargo, meaning they could prepare their stories but were prohibited from publishing until the speech was officially delivered. The practice ensured accuracy, allowed for thorough analysis and maintained public confidence in both the government and media.
However, with the advent of digital disruption and the rise of citizen journalism, coupled with the intense pressure to be the first to break news, such traditional journalistic standards have been significantly eroded. Today, leaks are widespread, often under the guise of exclusive insider information leading to premature and sometimes misleading reporting. Picture this, if a newspaper were to publish a budget speech before it was delivered, it would not only create confusion but also damage the credibility of government and media alike. This reminds me of an interesting story back then when I was a cub reporter, making rounds about Radio Botswana. The station had an embargoed report on former president Sir Seretse Khama’s speech at a kgotla meeting in Mahalapye, which was scheduled for the morning. However, the meeting time was changed to the afternoon without Radio Botswana being notified. As a result, their 1pm news bulletin mistakenly reported that Sir Seretse Khama had already addressed the gathering even detailing the content of his speech.
