Botswana

(MISA/IFEX) – The preliminary results of an Afro Barometer Survey, released on 20 February 2009, indicate that a majority of people in Botswana support press freedom and critical speech. The survey, conducted by the Department of Political and Administration Studies, Sociology and Statistics at the University of Botswana reveals that “Batswana overwhelmingly showed their support […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 January 2009 the Botswana government convened a meeting of Public Relations (PR) Officers in government departments to find out why information flow is constricted. This follows complains by the media and civic society that government is increasingly carrying out business in secrecy and that the media was increasingly finding it difficult […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a joint action by 28 IFEX members: His Excellency the President of Botswana Lt Gen Ian Khama Seretse Khama Office of the President P/Bag 001 Gaborone Tel: +267 3950800 Fax: +267 3191786 Dear Mr. President, Ref: Appeal on the Media Practitioners Act We, the undersigned freedom of expression organisations, make […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The Government of Botswana has gone ahead and passed the controversial Media Practitioners Law, which was assented to by the executive on 22 December 2008 and gazetted on 31 December. This follows a rushed enactment by Parliament in the same month, in which members of Parliament were denied the opportunity to further subject […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 10 December 2008, the Botswana Parliament pressed ahead with passing of the controversial Media Practitioners Bill. The bill, which faced fierce objections and an outcry from the media and the public in general, is now at the parliamentary committee stage before the final vote. The bill provides for the setting up of […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 December 2008, journalists in Botswana petitioned the Botswana Football Association (BFA) over the reported assault of one of their colleagues, photojournalist Kebofhe Mathe, by the chairperson of Mochudi Centre Chiefs football club, Mr. Earnest Molome. The petition, which is in the possession of MISA Botswana, was signed by a number of […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Radio Botswana presenter, Mmoloki Mothibi, was forced to bring an early end to his morning show on 17 November 2008, on instructions from the station director, Mr. Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo. The discussions on the programme of that day were based on the recalling of a ruling party Member of Parliament, Hon. Pono Moatlhodi. Pono […]

(MISA/IFEX) – MISA-Botswana has expressed concern at the republishing of the Media Practitioners Bill after its withdrawal in August 2008 to give space for more consultation. The bill was brought back despite the fact that no such consultations on the proposed law have taken place between government and media stakeholders. The Government published the contested […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The “Mmegi” newspaper of 9 October 2008 has reported that the state-owned media is being given editorial directives to advance government positions on civic issues such as its fight against alcohol abuse. The newspaper quotes ‘reliable sources’ saying the government has marshalled the state media to cover positively and extensively its anti alcohol […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Botswana Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane, Patrick Masimolole has called upon the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology to drop the Media Practitioners Bill arguing that the proposed law grants too much power to the ministry in interfering with the operations of the media. Masimolole said he supports other MPs who have urged […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Mmegi Online (http://www.mmegi.bw/ ), the webpage for Botswana’s leading daily newspaper, reported on 18 July 2008 that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gaborone North, Keletso Rakhudu, says he intends to table a motion requesting the government establish a Freedom of Information Act during the forthcoming parliamentary session, due to start in early […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 9 July 2008, the Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA) announced that prepaid subscribers of mobile phones will be registered as of 15 September to curb, among other things, mobile phone crimes. BTA Chief Executive Thari Pheko vehemently denied suspicion that the move could be related to the newly established Directorate of Intelligence and […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 June 2008, the government of Botswana gazetted a media practitioners’ bill which is expected to regulate the media by, among other things, setting up a statutory press council. The bill also seeks to register media practitioners residing in Botswana and provides for hefty penalties for any violation of the law. As […]

Freedom of the Press 2007: Botswana

(MISA/IFEX) – On December 10, 2007, a prominent businessman and ruling Botswana Democratic Party councillor, Robert Muzila, is alleged to have verbally harassed “Mmegi” newspaper journalist Oarabile Mosikare over the telephone. Mosikare has since lodged a harassment complaint against Muzila with the Francistown Central Police station. During the same telephone conversation Muzila is also said […]

(MISA/IFEX) – “The Tswana Times” newspaper has accused the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) of denying it advertising as a punishment for publishing an unfavourable report, entitled “Seretse Misled Batswana”, about the corporation on 16 March 2007. According to “The Tswana Times” editor Sello Motseta the head of Public Relations and Communications, James Molosankwe, came to […]