(MISA/IFEX) – The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology, Andrew Sesinyi, has warned government media that they should exercise “maximum patriotic solidarity, collective responsibility, allegiance to country and nation” when reporting on controversial issues, such as Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR). In an interview with MISA Botswana, Sesinyi reiterated that […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology, Andrew Sesinyi, has warned government media that they should exercise “maximum patriotic solidarity, collective responsibility, allegiance to country and nation” when reporting on controversial issues, such as Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR).
In an interview with MISA Botswana, Sesinyi reiterated that professional journalists must be careful when reporting on critical issues as these would have to be backed by comment from the government.
He remained adamant that his action was not meant to gag anyone, but to encourage social responsibility by both government and private media. He said, with regard to the CKGR issue, that journalists have to be patriots who will stand by national interests.
This follows a story that appeared in “Mmegi” newspaper on 26 September 2006, headlined “Government media instructed on CKGR”, in which Sesinyi was quoted as having instructed government media to ensure that any negative reporting on the controversial relocations of the San people from the CKGR be balanced by government statements.
Asked why he had to send orders instead of allowing assignment editors, general managers or directors of the two government media departments to do so, Sesinyi insisted that he was in charge of media issues in his ministry.
“I’m in charge of media every day and that is why I’m there every day to check their work. This is a government department, I don’t go there to edit their stories, all I do is consult with directors.
“It is a professional matter and I didn’t have to consult anybody in the ministry to do that,” Sesinyi said.
Sesinyi further refuted allegations in the “Mmegi” article that he lashed out at private media “for rallying behind the enemy.” He said he rallies behind private media and never spoke against them in any way.
“I have gone public on supporting private media because I know they have made huge contributions to constitutional and economic reforms. I do rally behind them, they have done a lot for the country,” he added.
MISA Botswana acknowledges the unfortunate position of government-owned and controlled media. It will, however, continue to advocate that these media become public media without political interference.
As a regional media freedom and freedom of expression advocacy organisation, MISA has often expressed itself on the need for the transformation of state newspapers to serve the public interest. MISA believes that state newspapers should be transferred to a public legal entity that is accountable to the public at large through a board protected against any political or economic influence and appointed in an open and transparent manner involving the participation of civil society.
