31 Jul 2022

Parliament on Thursday passed with two amendments the Media Practitioners’ Association Bill 2022, which repeals the Media Practitioners Act of 2008.

The bill was tabled by Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng who said its main purpose was to preserve the freedom and independence of the media in Botswana.

Amongst others, the bill would make provisions for establishment of the media practitioners’ board, complaints and disciplinary committee as well as the appeals committee that would adjudicate over breaches of provisions of the act.

Mr Morwaeng said government decided to repeal the Media Practitioners Act (2008) because it was viewed as draconian and counter democratic by the media. He said the significant difference between the bill and the current act was that it promoted freedom and independence of the media.

At the committee stage, Parliament amended clause 17 (1) which deals with the constitution of the media practitioners’ board, with a new sub clause saying ‘the board shall consist of nine members from amongst persons who are representatives of professional bodies who have experience or expertise in the media, law, or any other area relevant to the objects and functions of the association.”

The bill was passed with 32 Members of Parliament supporting it at the third reading stage while no MP objected to it.

Meanwhile, Parliament on the same day rejected at the second reading the Corruption and Economic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2021.

The private members bill was tabled last week by Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.

Through the bill, Mr Keorapetse was proposing for transformation of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) from a government department into a statutory corporation (parastatal).

Mr Keorapetse said turning the DCEC into a parastatal would make it more autonomous and enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

He said the bill aimed to achieve that by removing the DCEC staff from the mainstream public service and expanding its composition by including a board which would oversee the business of the directorate.

He said the proposed board would have the power to recommend who should be appointed the DCEC director general and deputy.

Mr Keorapetse, who is also Leader of Opposition (LOO), proposed that the DCEC should be directly funded and accountable to Parliament. However, after debate only 10 MPs endorsed the bill while 29 rejected it.ENDS