31 May 2018

Private media practitioners, state media journalists, senior government officials and leaders of civic society crammed inside the Mass Media complex auditorium yesterday (May 30) to meet President Mokgweetsi Masisi and almost his entire cabinet to exchange views on how government and members of the Fourth Estate should interact going forward.

Exactly 59 days since taking his presidential oath and stepping into the highest office in the land President Masisi held the first ever presidential press conference and invited the media to exchange views.

One thing that clearly defines President Masisi’s approach to the media is his ability to adapt to the old adage of the power of journalism, ‘never pick fights with someone who buys ink by the barrel,’

“I’m delighted to see the number of people who have attended. There will be many more to come because that is the pledge I made in my inaugural address even at the High Level Consultative Council. This is an act of patriotism. Please come again,”

Even at his inaugural speech President Masisi attracted the admiration of many a journalists when he vowed to maintain his strategy of engaging the media, something he terms a core business of his administration to keep the nation informed about what government was doing.

“You are a key stakeholder in development. And in the past we have engaged in fruitful ways. Let’s talk in a principled way. The focus must be Botswana. We have a right to disagree vaguely but not too much.  Be open to criticism and don’t hang us for criticising you. Criticism is the bedrock of improvement,” he said.

In the recent past President Masisi has reminded members of the media that they were crucial partners in helping government deliver its promises to Batswana.

He also reiterated the fact that government would accept criticism but it would be more important if it was inclined to issues that were of public interest.

“Our interaction is in a way to give confidence to our people on what we are engaged on. You are a vibrant press. Let’s stick together,” he added.

However some journalists had a bone to pick over several issues that had been topical locally.

They however spoke with one voice over a wide range of topics ranging from business, mining, finance, defence to intelligence, among others.

Many were also keen to see him repeal what they perceived as draconian laws on press freedom.

Issues of policies on climate change, performance of the Botswana Meat Commission, government’s position on the De Beers negotiations as well as  allegations on the fourth president’s privileges were also raised by the media. ENDS