26 Nov 2024

Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa has reiterated government commitment to better relations with media practitioners.

Speaking during a media briefing recently, Mr Mohwasa said government aims to collaborate with key stakeholders in the media space like Editors Forum and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) to establish the prerequisites that would foster freedom of journalists when covering and reporting salient issues while ensuring human rights were not violated.

He further explained that the new administration had met with Botswana Television management on two occasions and were still yet to consult with relevant institutions on how to go about restructuring the state owned channel by possibly constructing a board to oversee all mass media projects.

He said they would through deliberations, discharge new mandate of the broadcaster.

The minister said government would look into the mandate and objectives of the Botswana Ignite project.

Additionally, Mr Mohwasa noted that they would meet with various government entities to discuss licensing of community radio stations, saying it was a good initiative that required special deliberations with Botswana Communication Regulatory Authorities (BOCRA).

With regard to civil servants retention, he further affirmed that the new administration would not lay off any employees.

“All new employees will be hired on merit and incumbent employees will not lose their jobs and we aim to be transparent with our ministerial progressions. The new administration will not interfere with various state departments discharging their duties and responsibilities”, he said .

On other issues of concern, including unpaid police officers and other service providers who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the general elections, Mr Mohwasa said government was still to generate income in order to pay all service providers before December 25.

Mr Mohwasa said the ministry was keen to work closely with citizens and to come up with solutions to some pertinent challenges faced by Batswana and allow all organisations to facilitate their mandates and responsibilities freely.

He also urged the nation to forgive and heal as this would fuel the nation to prosper. ENDS