Mmegi

UDC’s position on media

UDC's ministers and senior officials have been more accessible to the media PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
UDC's ministers and senior officials have been more accessible to the media PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

There have recently been a number of claims that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is intolerant of the media. Many such claims cite exchanges between President Duma Boko and the media at recent press conferences.

Whilst it is not UDC's policy to respond to every claim or allegation made against the party, on this matter, it is appropriate to put the record straight. More so, because the claims in our view misrepresented what the President said and expected of the media.

The UDC in the past and present manifestos has a clear position that the media is a critical part of development and democracy. The media must be free and independent. The UDC has advocated for the Freedom of Information Act and has since coming to power. In 2024, I made sure that the President meets and briefs the media on key issues of national interest regularly. Press conferences on diamond sales, negotiations, Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), and others are the case in point.

Editor's Comment
Our digital safety is in our hands

That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...

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