(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) – 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 attorneys instructing it to cease and desist from “making any further defamatory publication”.
In a 16 June 2006 letter, the attorneys demanded payment of damages to restore the BNSC’s dignity and good name. They further demand that the “Gazette” newspaper publish an apology, retract allegations already published and provide a written undertaking – at the latest by noon on 19 June – that it would desist from making any further defamatory allegations.
Leagajang insisted that the “Gazette” has denied defaming the BNSC and that it would not offer any apology to that effect. He added that the paper will continue publishing the story in the public interest.
