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Alerts - Botswana

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Botswana

Member of Parliament sues Yarona FM for defamation

According to media reports, Yarona FM broadcast allegations that the MP was bribed while accompanying the under 23 national football team on a friendly match in China.

Botswana

Photojournalists harassed by police

Two photojournalists were arrested and released after "cutting a deal" with a police officer, whereby they were forced to delete pictures depicting police harassment.

Botswana

Freelance photojournalist arrested, detained

Lefoko Mogapaesi was arrested and detained while reporting on a high-profile case.

Botswana

Lawsuits against several newspapers withdrawn

The Bakgatla tribe chief withdrew the lawsuits in an out of court settlement.

Botswana

MISA concerned over withdrawal of broadcasters' code of conduct

The code of conduct would have gone a long way in enforcing equal coverage of political parties during elections, says MISA.

Botswana

Radio station head bans political programmes

The CEO of Gabz FM radio station banned all political broadcasts on the station, reportedly following a complaint from the ruling party.

Botswana

MISA concerned about pro-government bias during election coverage

Opposition parties are increasingly voicing their concern over their exclusion from the state media during a crucial election period.

Botswana

Youth league storms TV station

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Youth League stormed the Botswana Television (BTV) complex in protest against the broadcaster's refusal to cover the party's rallies.

Botswana

President withdraws suit against newspaper

President Ian Khama has abandoned plans to sue the "Sunday Standard" newspaper for defamation.

Botswana

Reporter under security surveillance

Interviewed by MISA Botswana on May 27, Pitse said, "I take extra care to protect my sources as anyone I speak to could be suspected of leaking security information to me."

Botswana

Publishers challenge Media Practitioners Act in court

(MISA/IFEX) - Botswana publishers, on 6 May 2009, registered a statutory notice with the attorney general and the Ministry of Communications Science and Technology, challenging the Media Practitioners Act of 2008.

Botswana

"Politically sensitive" stories removed from university student newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - Parties involved in the production of "UB Horizon", a student community newspaper of the University of Botswana, have confirmed to MISA Botswana that at least two articles were removed from the newspaper at the time of printing because they were viewed as "politically sensitive".

Botswana

News media publishers decline invitation to participate in state media council

(MISA/IFEX) - News media publishers gathered on 10 March 2009 and resolved not to respond to the current invitations from the government regarding the formation of the Interim Committee of the Media Council as dictated by the newly enacted Media Practitioners Act.

Botswana

State-owned media supports controversial Media Practitioners Act

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 February 2009 the "Daily News", a government newspaper, ran a rebuttal of the Media Practitioners Act petition which was initiated by MISA and signed by various international media and freedom of expression organizations.

Botswana

Preliminary survey results demonstrate support for press freedom, MISA-Botswana hopes government will realise that recently enacted media law is not in line with popular opinion

(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.

Botswana

Government establishes public relations offices to address problem of constricted information flow with media

(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 to solicit information. The Public Relations Officers are a new phenomenon having been appointed recently. Writing in an editorial, leading Botswana national newspaper, Mmegi, says this process would, "go a long way in addressing the problem of constricted information flow"

Botswana

Government passes repressive media law

(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 the bill to debate.

Botswana

Parliament presses ahead with Media Practitioners Bill despite criticism

(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.

Botswana

Photojournalist attacked by football club official

(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.

Botswana

Management cuts short radio station programme

(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.

Botswana

Government reintroduces Media Practitioners Bill, MISA concerned about journalists' rights

(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 media bill in the latest Government Gazette. This means that the bill will be up for debate in the coming parliamentary session. This is despite the fact that the Minister of Communication, Science and Technology promised consultations with the media before reintroducing the bill. The bill, among contentious issues, seeks to register journalists as well as set up a statutory media council to enforce a code of conduct on journalists.

Botswana

Government giving editorial directives to state media, warns MISA

(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.

Botswana

Proposed law would give government too much power to interfere with media, legislator says

(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.

Botswana

MP condemns government secrecy, calls for freedom of information legislation

(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 August.

Botswana

MISA concerned that plan to register mobile phone subscribers may be used to intimidate media sources, compromise free expression

(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.

Botswana

Controversial media practitioners' bill announced

(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 an example, anyone contravening the regulations stipulated in the bill would be liable for a penalty of 5,000 Botswana pulas (approx. US$750) or three months in prison.

Botswana

Prominent businessman and politician harasses journalist over article

(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.

Botswana

Government communications company denies advertising to newspaper allegedly in retaliation for critical story

(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.

Botswana

Without accountability mechanisms and access to information legislation, proposed expansion of security services threatens citizens, says MISA

(MISA/IFEX) - The 3 November 2006 edition of the "Government Gazette Extraordinary" indicates that the Government of Botswana plans to bring a bill to Parliament on intelligence and security services.

Botswana

Government official warns media to be patriotic

(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).

Botswana

Civil servant threatens to sue "The Ngami Times" weekly for defamation

(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.

Botswana / The Gambia

Expelled from Botswana in 2005 for critical teachings, professor takes case to African Human Rights and People's Commission

(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.

Botswana

Newspaper threatened with lawsuit by national sports council

(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).

Botswana

Photographer punched by defendant while photographing him in court

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 May 2006, Kabo Mpaetona, photographer from the weekly newspaper "Echo", was assaulted by Gaborone businessman Robert Masitara.

Botswana

Civil servant threatens to ban "The Ngami Times" newspaper from covering council affairs

(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".

Botswana

MISA clarifies process for drafting of media bill

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a MISA Botswana statement:

Botswana

Controversial Mass Media Bill headed for Parliament

(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.

Botswana

Government purchase of advertising space in media will not be regulated, assures minister

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a MISA press release:

Botswana

MISA calls for expeditious licensing of three new national commercial radio stations, community stations

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a MISA press release:

Botswana

Radio station and programme host threatened with legal action

(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).

Botswana

CPJ expresses concern that journalist's expulsion may be linked to his work

(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:

Botswana

News editor ordered to leave the country

(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.

Botswana

Deported university professor appealing decision

(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.

Botswana

Media worker harassed

(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 dates.

Botswana

Professor deported

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Botswana

Court upholds deportation order against professor

(MISA/IFEX) - On 31 May 2005, the Lobatse High Court upheld a deportation order against Professor Kenneth Good of the University of Botswana Political Science Department.

Botswana

Government to retain 'draconian' law

(MISA/IFEX) - Botswana's government will retain the stringent apartheid-era National Security Act despite complaints from journalists that it limits media freedom.

Botswana

Political analyst allowed to stay in country to challenge deportation order

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a MISA statement:

Botswana

Political analyst served with deportation order

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration DK Kwelagobe:

Botswana

Minister instructs producers to re-record television show

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 August 2004, Minister of Land and Housing Margaret Nasha instructed the producers of "The Eye" programme to re-record a segment of the show in order to exclude opposition party member Dumelang Saleshando, who is seeking election as a member of parliament. Saleshando is a member of the Botswana Congress Party.

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