30 Nov 2017

Journalists have been urged to desist from devoting all their energy on covering sensational issues and divert the attention to subjects of public concern. 

The call was made by the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Botswana Government Communication and Information System (BGCIS), Mr Russ Molosiwa at a Media Advocacy workshop organised by Botswana Council of Churches (BCC) at Mahalapye recently.

The workshop was aimed at engaging the media as an advocacy partner of the church on issues relating to mining and environmental challenges.

Mr Molosiwa said it was unfortunate that journalists who focus on informative issues did not get the desired respect from the society.

He said in the beginning God appointed human beings as stewards of his creation, as such Mr Molosiwa said the media must use their special authority and work closely with Pastors and the Christian community to safeguard God’s creation.

Mr Molosiwa observed that it was unfortunate that a creature mandated with the authority and responsibility to take care of God’s creation was the one at the forefront of its destruction, noting that greed and desire to make profit had forced man to deceive God.

It is unfortunate that the custodian of nature are sources of environmental pollution and degradation as their primary focus is now on personal gain, he said.

Mr Molosiwa said as part and parcel of the society, the media must work with the Christian community in trying to manage what God had left in the hands of man, saying the media through investigative reports must engage relevant authorities and seek alternative ways of managing natural resources.

Instead of focusing on sensational news, let us be part of a team that informs and educates, he said.

Mr Molosiwa said other nations were jealous of the natural resources that Botswana had managed to conserve which now act as alternative means of generating revenue and creating employment.

He appealed to the media to embrace technology as a modern tool that could be explored towards environmental conservation.

How you present your information will help the world have a broader perspective and engage in alternative ways of mining with the view of preserving nature, he said.

Mr Molosiwa said human beings must be aware that what they manage did not belong to them and therefore come up with measures to preserve it.

For his part, the Secretary General of BCC, Reverend Mosweu Simane said over the past five years, the council had facilitated alternative dialogues looking at the negative impact of the mining industry on the environment and agricultural lands around the mining areas.

Reverend Simane said through such a platform, BCC intended to share with journalists the concept of alternative mining.

He said the media would play a meaningful role in sharing information on the achievements of the mining industry, identify policy gaps and come up with strategies that could help promote good governance, transparency and sustainability in managing natural resources.

The aim is for the church to engage the media as an advocate partner by developing stories on issues relating to the mining industry and environmental challenges, he said.

Reverend Simane said the church had been contributing meaningful to the development platforms of the community, noting that it was unfortunate as companies in the mining industry were more centered on making profits while little was done in relation to benefiting the society.

He said it was important to balance between generating income and sustainability of the resource and the community.

The Vice President of BCC, Reverend Gabriel Tsuaneng said the church existed in a challenged society where there was corruption and socio-economic injustice. 

Reverend Tsuaneng said the church would be vocal on issues affecting the people, saying development must be for the people. He said the church would speak against development plans that did not empower the people.

He said the church’s agenda must not be guided by a political movement instead, the plan of politicians must be influenced by the church.

Reverend Tsuaneng said the church must be strong enough to hold leaders accountable, adding that the media must devise strategies to work with the church.

Kgosi Duncan Segotsi of Mahalapye urged the media to be cautious in their writing and safeguard tranquility and democratic principles.

He said the process of consultation gives the community a platform to contribute in governing the country. He said the community of Mahalapye was equally challenged by mining activities that did not benefit the community but only led to environmental degradation.

Kgosi Segotsi said illegal sand mining along the Mahalapye river valley was a challenge that must be addressed by the media so that the community could benefit from the natural resource. ENDS