13 Apr 2021

There was never an intention to cut out former President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama from the coverage of a bus donation to Mabuo village because the angle of the story was to highlight the relief that the donation would bring to the learners and thus leading to improvement in results.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said there was no special editorial policy by the state media when it comes to former President Khama.

Minister Morwaeng said he had been informed that it was true that the former President Khama was a guest of honour at a ceremony to handover a donation of a bus to Mabuo village on March 5.

“I am further informed that the bus is intended for use by the students of Mothamo Junior Secondary School,” he said.

In packing the story depicting the event in question, Mr Morwaeng said the news operation of the Broadcasting Services focused on the significance of the donation to transform the lives of the pupils.

“‘It is in that respect that most of the characters who were featured in the story emphasised the relief that has been brought by the donation,” he said.

He also told Parliament that as there was a time limit of two minutes set for each story, not all the speakers could be featured in the article.

The minister also confirmed that the footage of the former President was never removed from the story as it was never in the story in the first place.

Serowe South Member of Parliament, Mr Leepetswe Lesedi had asked why former President Khama was removed from Botswana Television (BTV) footage and Daily News coverage of a bus handover he officiated as guest of honour on March 5, in Mabuo village while all other speakers at the event were shown on BTV and received coverage on Radio Botswana and the Daily News.

MP Lesedi also wanted to know the state media’s motive in cutting out the guest of honour from coverage and further wanted the minister to explain the state media editorial policy and position when it came to former President Khama. ENDS