Response by the PS MCST to Questions on the role of the Director of Broadcasting Services in reading last Friday's OP Statement on air

source: Republic of Botswana (23/8/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 23 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"

C7) 25/8/09: Response by the PS MCST to Questions on the role of the Director of Broadcasting Services in reading last Friday's OP Statement on air

Please find below a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, Mrs. Festina Bakwena, and here e-circulated by BGCIS, in response to questions that have been raised both by and in the media with respect to the presentation over radio and television last Friday of the "STATEMENT BY H.E. THE PRESIDENT ON THE CURRENT AFFAIRS OF THE BOTSWANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY".

While the Permanent Secretary's response was originally drafted with reference to questions received from Mmegi newspaper, given the level of comment and additional urgent enquiries received from the press it has been found necessary to issue it as a general statement to all media houses.

In particular there have been questions raised as to whether it was appropriate for a statement that deals with a party political matter(s) to have been presented on-air by a civil servant, i.e. the Director of Broadcasting Services.

In this respect, it may be further noted that while the statement did indeed deal with matters involving the ruling party it was issued by H.E. the President from the Office of the President as it addressed a matter of wider public concern.

In her statement the Permanent Secretary further addresses the issue of the role of the Director of Broadcasting in chairing media briefings, which was specifically raised by Mmegi. It may here be further noted that it has been common practice for many years for the Directors of Information and/or Broadcasting, and indeed other Director's, to chair such briefings.

[Start of PS MCST Press Statement]

Press Release: Response by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology to Questions on the role of the Director of Broadcasting Services in reading statements on air, with reference to last Friday's Presentation of a Statement by H.E. the President:

1. It should be understood that the subject of the statement from His Excellency the President that was read by the Director, Mr. Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo on Friday August 21st 2009 was not just a party political matter. Its wide coverage in the media had led to public concern and so it became a national issue relating to events that took place in the governing party and the engagements of the State President. We cannot make light of this fact.

2. Having said that, let me remind you that the Director of Broadcasting Services (DBS) is mandated to manage, run and give direction to all operations of DBS.

3. As head of the national broadcaster, he is accountable for the treatment, packaging and delivery of content, including political content, on both Radio Botswana and Botswana television. He bears responsibility for the presentation or delivery of any material on both Radio Botswana and Botswana Television. It is both common cause and courtesy therefore that matters of national importance, such as the recent public statement by his Excellency the President, shall be handled at the appropriate level of authority and this may be in the form of personal attention by the Director, as was the case with the recent Presidential statement.

4. Media briefings addressed by members of the Botswana Cabinet and by similarly eminent persons are accorded the same level of attention and courtesy. Depending on the nature and sensitivity of the issue at hand, the Director may decide to delegate. This is more a matter of editorial accountability and practice rather than policy. As the accounting officer for Radio Botswana and Botswana Television, the Director is at liberty to use his discretion in consultation with relevant people depending on the situation. - Festina S. Bakwena. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology.