30 Aug 2020

Legislators continue to debate the motion to repeal Media Practitioners Bill that was tabled before the National Assembly by Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse recently.

The Motion seeks to repeal the Media Practitioners Act (MPA) which was passed by Parliament in 2008, but was never implemented mainly because key stakeholders refused to participate in its implementation, yet it was mandatory.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo, argued that the government had devoted time to ensure that the well-being of media practitioners was taken seriously and various initiatives had been put in place such as the live televising of Parliament sessions.

He pointed out that the plans were already underway to repeal the Act.

Supporting the motion, Okavango Legislator, Mr Kenny Kapinga appealed to the Parliament to repeal the Act, citing that naturally there had to be a cordial relationship between government and media practitioners that should address the welfare and intergrity of the media.

He said the Act’s removal was overdue as it was not serving its purpose, adding that if was repealed, the country’s dignity would be restored.

Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Ms Beauty Manake, expressed  that the government already had plans to repeal the current Act to come up with a holistic and legislative framework that would suit all stakeholders.Supporting the motion, Leader of the Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, said the Act was outdated and needed to be reviewed so as to protect the welfare of the Fourth Estate.

Specially elected MP, Dr Unity Dow rejected the motion, stating that government had made a commitment to ensure there would be free press, hence the Act would be reviewed to ensure that some offensive sections were amended.

She said that the law could not be repealed without any piece of legislation in place to regulate the industry.

“We cannot just repeal the law and leave a lacuna,” she stressed.

Dr Dow argued that it was important to put in place the complaints committee as well as ensure that the media was independent.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Mpho Balopi also rejected the motion, stating that althugh government was committed to repealing the Act, it could not be repealed without a replacement.

He said consultations with relevant stakeholders was continuing.

Gaborone South MP, Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu also spoke against repealing of the Act, arguing that until there was substitute of the Act, the repeal was not feasible.

Furthermore, he emphasised that consultation with all parties involved in the drafting of the new Act was on.

Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao also concurred with other speakers that there was no use to repeal the Act without a replacement. He further said there would be a new law that would be all encompassing with relevant stakeholders consulted.

Meanwhile, MP for Tonota, Mr Pono Moatlhodi argued that it was disheartening that the motion to repeal the Act was discussed ‘with emotions’ and not all thoughts gathered to come up with a good law. Ends