We should use this day to sensitise and ensure that governments and indeed thc society at large respect thc right to Freedom of Expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Press helps in the development of the country by ensuring the rule of law, accountability and promotion of citizen participation in national activities. Transparency as a component of Good Governance, can not be said to be in full existence if there is no Press Freedom, public access to information and information dissemination. As it has been said before, "Democracy is Governance by Discussion". As Bill Mayers has noted, "if free and independent journalism committed to telling the truth without fear of favour is suffocated, the oxygen goes out of Democracy". There is no way we can expect Democracy to flourish when people do not get the kind of information they need to make informed choices or decisions. At the Botswana National Front (BNF) we believe that as a Nation we need to continuously identify pieces of legislation and institutions that hinder free flow of information. The Intelligence Bill in its present form and the National Security Act are not helping to ensure that the Press operates in a conducive environment The BNF is of the view that we should introduce the Freedom of Information Act and do away with all those laws that impede free flow of information and Press freedom.
