06 Sep 2020

Parliament has rejected a motion that called on the government to repeal the Media Practitioners Act(2008), which was tabled by Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.

The motion was subjected to a vote after MPs from both aisles expressed different opinions over it. 

A total, 26 MPs voted against the motion, 15 agreed to it while 22 were absent.

The motion sought to repeal the act which was passed by Parliament in 2008, but was never implemented mainly because key stakeholders declined to participate in its implementation, yet the act made their participation mandatory.

When arguing for the motion, Mr Keorapetse revealed that the Media Practitioners Act had been in place since 2008 and had not been in practice for 12 years.

He said this was mainly because stakeholders in the media fraternity were against it.

Mr Keorapetse noted that similar motion to repeal the act was once presented to Parliament in 2015 through the then MP for Gaborone Central, Dr Phenyo Butale, but was thwarted.

Mr Keorapetse said he was disappointed that whenever the motion was tabled, MPs from the ruling party applied delaying tactics,  reasoning that consultations to amend the act were underway.

He said the Media Practitioner Act should be repealed forthwith in order for the media to self-regulate, noting that since 2008 the media fraternity had not changed.

Prior to voting, those against the motion included Kanye South MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape  who argued that  government was determined to work well with the media, adding that media houses such as radios, television and newspapers continued to report freely hence there was no need to repeal the Media Practitioners Act.

MP for Lentsweletau- Mmopane, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja said government had been consulting on MPA and was still awaiting the report, adding that it was important for Parliament to wait for the ministry responsible to share the outcome of the consultations. 

She indicated that Botswana’s media freedom ranking had improved from number five to four in Africa, and had also improved internationally. 

Ramotswa MP, Mr Lefhoko Moagi, concurred with Ms Makwinja that the minister responsible had already informed the Parliament of the intention to amend the act, stressing the need to wait for their response.

MP for Jwaneng – Mabutsane, Mr Mephato Reatile said he believed that the act has to be repealed and replaced it with one that would work effectively for the media and the country at large. 

For his part Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang said the act had been in existence for a long time and never been functional. 

He was of the view that it would be wise to repeal the act and replace it with the one that would work for the country.

He said it was important for MPs to be unbiased when discussing issues of national interest.

“There is no need to be against the motion only because it was brought to Parliament by a member from a different party. We have to put our differences aside and work for the good of the country,” he added.

Dr Gobotswang highlighted that the media was a watchdog, meant to fight issues such as corruption hence the need for the industry to regulate itself. ends