A free and independent press is a cornerstone of democracy and good governance. The continued exclusion of private media from President Duma Boko and Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe’s international trips raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to press freedom. What is the government hiding about these trips that necessitates the need to exclude private media?
International visits are not merely diplomatic photo opportunities. They involve discussions on trade, investment, development cooperation and agreements that can shape our economic future. Batswana deserve independent reporting on these engagements, not just official statements and carefully curated government communications. The government’s decision to take 51 people on the current state visit to China makes the exclusion of private media particularly difficult to justify. If the delegation can accommodate 51 participants, why can’t space be made for journalists from independent news organisations?
This is not an argument for every media house to travel at public expense, nor does it suggest that logistical and budgetary considerations should be ignored. Rather, it is a call for transparent, fair and consistent criteria governing media participation in official delegations. Private media serve a public interest that extends beyond government publicity.
A government that professes commitment to democracy should recognise that accountability does not stop at the border. Indeed, it becomes even more important when leaders negotiate agreements and make commitments on behalf of the nation.
They ask difficult questions, scrutinise official claims, examine the implications of agreements and provide perspectives that may be absent from state-controlled communication channels. Their presence can strengthen public confidence in international engagements by ensuring that reporting is not limited to the government’s preferred narrative.
A government that professes commitment to democracy should recognise that accountability does not stop at the border. Indeed, it becomes even more important when leaders negotiate agreements and make commitments on behalf of the nation.
If space is limited, the government can adopt a fair rotation system or an open accreditation process that allows independent outlets to participate. Clear criteria would help prevent perceptions that access is reserved for selected media organisations.
The private media must not be treated as an inconvenience on international trips, but as an essential partner in informing the nation. Diplomacy belongs to the state, but its consequences belong to all Batswana. The public deserves independent eyes and ears wherever our leaders represent the country.
