Botswana / National Broadcaster Head Condemned For Delivering Political Speech

Botswana / National Broadcaster Head Condemned For Delivering Political Speech

GABORONE, August 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

The statement read on behalf of President Seretse Khama Ian Khama by the Director of Broadcasting Services, Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo on both Botswana Television and Radio Botswana announcing the suspension of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary General, Gomolemo Motswaledi, has been met mixed feelings from Botswana citizens. Most Batswana feel the action is contrary to section 5.5 of the National Broadcasting Board Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, which states that ?..a political party broadcast shall be wholly under the editorial control of a political party which requests that the broadcast and the broadcaster shall not be held liable for the content of the broadcast.?

President Khama has recently found himself under scrutiny towards the national elections due in two months time. His use of a civil servant and head of the national broadcaster to read a party statements on his behalf has sparked confusion over the distinction between the party and the state and further fueled concerns over the ruling BDP using the state media to its political advantage.

The opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Botswana National Front (BNF) have condemned the use of government media to discuss the ruling party's internal matters.

However, The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, Festinah Bakwena has released a statement defending the BTV Head stating, ?As head of the national broadcaster, ( Mogomotsi) is accountable for the treatment, packaging and delivery of content, including political content?.

MISA-Botswana recently released a statement denouncing the editorial interference at the state owned Botswana Television (BTV). The chapter suggested that the Director must consider resigning from the position if he is not able to prevent the ruling party from dominating the airwaves at the expense of other political players. Botswana is set to hold a general election before year end.

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