MISA Botswana believes the refusal of printing The Patriot broadsheet is a serious infringement on press freedom.In this regard Press Council of Botswana Chairperson Tshireletso Motlogelwa expressed his concern saying editorial independence should not be threatened in any way. Motlogelwa stated that it is even unfortunate that the press is finding it difficult to report on certain individuals because of the economic power they hold against the media.
Motlogelwa lamented the lack of media self-sufficiency in the country especially that a broadsheet paper like The Patriot on Sunday has no other local place to produce its publication. The Patriot's Editor-in-Chief Bapasi Mphusu confirmed this and said that it is not proper, nor right for a printing press to take away a paper's editorial independence, as this violates freedom of the press. He indicated that the paper was reconsidering its continued relationship with the printing company after this incident.
