Botswana

(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 secretary of the North West District Council (NWDC), Paulos Nkoni, has threatened to sue the weekly, “The Ngami Times”, of Maun (north west of Botswana) for what he calls an article that seriously demeaned his reputation as a public officer and defamed his name. In a letter to “The Ngami Times” dated […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Those who thought Professor Kenneth Good’s case was resolved should brace themselves for a surprise. The drama has now shifted to Banjul, The Gambia, where the indefatigable political science lecturer has lodged a complaint with the African Human Rights and People’s Commission. Deputy Attorney General Abraham Keetshabe has confirmed to MISA that the […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The “Botswana Gazette” newspaper has been threatened with a lawsuit for damages amounting to Pula 5 million (approx. US$850,000) for allegedly defaming the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC). Speaking to the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana, the paper’s editor Batlhafi Leagajang said the “Gazette” was in possession of a letter from […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 16 May 2006, Kabo Mpaetona, photographer from the weekly newspaper “Echo”, was assaulted by Gaborone businessman Robert Masitara. Mpaetona told MISA-Botswana that he and reporter Gavin Emmanuel were covering Masitara’s alleged rape case at a Magistrate court in Gaborone when Masitara grabbed Mpaetona and punched him on the chin. This happened after […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The secretary of the North West District Council (NWDC), Paulos Nkoni, says he intends to ban the weekly “The Ngami Times” of Maun (northwestern Botswana) from reporting anything about his Council “after being pressured by councilors and staff”. “The Ngami Times” Managing Editor Norman Chandler told MISA-Botswana that the looming ban was due […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a MISA Botswana statement: MISA Botswana speaks out on Mass Media Bill The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Botswana Chapter, wishes to correct the misrepresentation that was made in an April 7, 2006 MISA alert in which it was alleged that Botswana’s Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Pelonomi […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Botswana’s Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Pelonomi Venson, has announced that she will be presenting the controversial Mass Media Bill to Parliament. The proposed law has been rejected by media practitioners because they feel there was no extensive consultation with all stakeholders. In a statement in Parliament at the end of March […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a MISA press release: VICTORY: Botswana government not to interfere in regulating advertising All government ministries and departments are free to choose the medium they consider relevant to run their advertisements, and there are no plans to devise criteria on regulating advertising, says Communications, Science and Technology Minister Pelonomi Venson. […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a MISA press release: MISA Botswana calls for licensing of new commercial radios The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana is urging the National Broadcasting Board (NBB) to expedite its plans to issue licenses to three new national commercial radio stations by the target date of May 2006. We […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Gabz-FM and the host of its “Consumer Watchdog” programme, Kate Harriman, have been threatened with legal action by Shoprite (Retail Holding Botswana). In a letter dated October 7, 2005, and signed by Shoprite Director A N van Zyl, the retail chain alleged that Harriman was abusing her position to launch an unwarranted and […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 9 August 2005, CPJ sent the following letter to Botswana’s President Festus Mogae, expressing concern at the expulsion of a journalist: August 9, 2005 Festus Mogae, President of Botswana c/o Embassy of Botswana 1531-3 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC 20036 Via fax: 1 202 244 4164 Your Excellency: The Committee to […]

(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 July 2005, Rodrick Mukumbira, news editor for “Ngami Times” newspaper in the north-west of Botswana, was instructed in writing by the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to surrender his work and residence permits to the relevant Immigration departments and leave the country within seven days. The letter, dated 26 May […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Deported University of Botswana political science lecturer Kenneth Good, now in London, is appealing the High Court judgement that allowed the government to expel him from the country on 1 June 2005, after he had been declared a “prohibited immigrant” in February. Good was forcibly removed from Botswana after the Lobatse High Court […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Vanessa Chikuzunga, production assistant for the Customer Watchdog programme, broadcast on Monday mornings on GabzFM radio station, was recently threatened in a shop in Gaborone. A security guard and a staff person escorted her to the manager’s office demanding that she hand over the notebook she was using to record prices and expiry […]

(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI press release: Vienna, 3 June 2005 IPI Condemns Deportation of Professor Kenneth Good from Botswana, Says Decision Undermines Country’s Position as One of Africa’s Freest Based on information provided to IPI, on 1 June, Professor Kenneth Good, a political science lecturer at the University of Botswana for the […]