06 Oct 2015

Media in Botswana has been commended for going an extra mile in keeping the nation informed and holding people accountable.

Speaking at a five day workshop organised by INK Centre for Investigative Journalism, United States deputy chief of mission, Tim Smith said democracy need strong, diverse, and vibrant media to thrive.

He said the workshop aims to support both government and private journalists and editors by enhancing their investigative journalism skills.

“By the end of the workshop, editors and reporters should be further empowered to engage in investigative journalism and inspire their newsrooms,” he said.

The  training, he said, would also provide journalists  with new tools and tips that allow them  to improve their media outlets coverage locally,nationally, regionally and internationally, adding that it would also ideally improves the tone and tenure of public debate and enhance transparency and accountability.

Mr Smith said press freedom is his country’s foreign policy priority, hence they would stand with the media in their mission.

Furthermore, he said their ongoing engagement and direct partnership in Botswana reflect the two countries shared values and commitment to democracy’s fundamental principles, predominantly a robust and independent civil society and free press.

South African, Sunday Times senior investigative journalist, Mr Piet Rampedi told participants that investigative journalism is not a field for the faint hearted.

He said by its nature, investigative journalism is in-depth, research and evidence based, too costly, time consuming and in most cases it involves corporate wrong doing and political corruption and instances where business and politics connive  at the expense of common good.

Mr Rampedi further said prominent investigative journalists around the world have something in common given that they are hated by the authority.

INK board of directors, chairperson, Ms Joyce Manase-Ntau said media in Botswana continues to demonstrate high commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in this country.

“Page by page, form one frequency to another, there are stories that reflect compromises of accountability and transparency but we do not usually see heads rolling because of that,therefore journalism has a difficult obligation to serve as a watch dog, over those with power and position,” she said. Ends