05 May 2024

The role of media is critical in shining a light on environmental issues, Assistant Minister for State President, Ms Boitumelo Gofhamodimo, has said.

Ms Gofhamodimo was speaking at the World Press Freedom Day commemoration in Gaborone on Friday.

She said journalists served as the watchdogs of society, exposing wrongdoing and holding those in power accountable for their actions.

She added that the media also bridged the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding, translating complex environmental issues into accessible narratives that resonated with audiences worldwide.

She indicated that this year’s theme; A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis, resonated deeply with the challenges faced by the global community.

“This day holds profound significance, not just for journalists but for societies around the globe that cherish the principles of democracy, transparency and accountability,” she said.

She said the signs of environmental degradation were all too apparent with rising temperatures and extreme weather events to biodiversity loss and pollution.

Further, she said as the crucial role of journalism was celebrated in safeguarding the planet, threats and challenges that journalists faced in fulfilling their duty should be acknowledged.

“Journalists around the world risk their lives and livelihoods to bring the stories that matter, experiencing censorship and harassment to violence and imprisonment.

Therefore, this day is about paying tribute to their courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to the truth,” she said.

She urged all to reaffirm their collective commitment to defending press freedom and protecting the rights of journalists everywhere, as they reflected on the significance of World Press Freedom Day.

“Let us stand in solidarity with those who work tirelessly to uphold the principles of a free and independent media, even in the face of adversity.

In order for MISA to play its role well of advocating for media freedom, pluralism, diversity, and independence, they need our support as governments, civil society and other key stakeholders including the society they serve,” she said, adding funding played a pivotal role in MISA’s success.

She applauded MISA-Botswana for their vigilant monitoring and responding to violations of media freedom, saying the institution had also been active in capacity building enhancing the skills and knowledge of journalists, media practitioners, and key stakeholders across the nation through various training and capacity-building initiatives.

Among their training endeavours, she said were sessions on Digital Rights and Safety conducted in collaboration with community leaders and Dikgosi in Palapye, as well as workshops focused on Data Protection, Digital Surveillance, Gender and Election Reporting.

In addition, Ms Gofhamodimo said it was critical for MISA to conduct research on media-related issues in the region.

“Given the rapidly changing media landscape, it is imperative to prioritise this aspect. Evidence-based research is key to addressing emerging challenges, particularly those influenced by advancements in digital technology such as disinformation and misinformation,” she added.

On one and, the assistant minister urged the private sector and other organisations to step forward and contribute towards MISA-Botswana’s funding initiatives that advanced media freedom and development in Botswana.

For her part, SADC acting executive secretary Dr Judith Kateera said SADC encouraged responsible reporting.

Dr Kateera said they counted on media to be the voice of the community and society in discussing environmental issues in depth, therefore their reporting on issues of environment need to be evidenced based.

“As SADC, we believe that access to information plays a critical role and therefore media need to be supported in that regard. The media informs policy,” she said. ENDS