22 Jan 2018

The 2nd Brigade Group Commander, Brigadier Joseph Seelo has implored the media to work closely with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) for the development of the country.

He echoed these sentiments during a meeting with media houses based in Francistown on Thursday. The meeting, he highlighted, was an opportunity for the two parties to interact and know each other professionally as both had a role to play in society.

Brigadier Seelo noted that he viewed the media as a capability that the BDF could leverage on to reach a wider audience.

“As the BDF, we do a lot of activities that benefit society behind the scene, but go unreported, hence we organised this meeting to see how we can support each other,” he added.

The 2nd Brigade Group Commander informed the media that his area of jurisdiction is wide stretching from Dibete to areas such as Shakawe and Kasane, imploring the media to partner with them so that they could reach these far flung areas in their mission to protect and safeguard the country.

He emphasised the role of the media, noting that if there was a good working relationship, the media could provide BDF with a wider reach by publicizing their work in society.

However, he noted that like in any organisation there were protocols to be followed when reporting security issues and sometimes he had to get authorisation to share information with the media from his principals in Gaborone.

Brigadier Seelo asserted that there was a limit as to what the BDF could share with the media, especially with regards to operational issues that might have a negative impact on national security.

The 2nd Brigade, he also said, was involved in crime fighting along the borders and anti-poaching activities to safeguard the country’s resources.

Consequently, he implored the media to familiarise and publicize bilateral relations and activities that they undertake with neighbouring countries as they foster and contribute to peaceful co-existence.

On other issues, he informed the media that currently, the BDF is involved in the national campaign on blood donation which will also be coming to Francistown.

Media houses on their part pleaded with the Botswana Defence Force to be tolerant when it comes to dealing with the media.

They noted that while they understood that some issues border on national security, a balance has to be struck between protecting the security of the country and informing the public who have a right to information. ENDS