MEDIA RELEASE: 22 July 2024

The Campaign for Free Expression (CFE), in partnership with the Botswana Editors Forum (BEF), Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), United Nations in Botswana, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the University of Botswana Media Department, held its inaugural Freedom of Expression Summit at Protea Hotel, MASA Square, in Gaborone from 24 to 25 June 2024. The summit attracted over a hundred delegates from a diverse background, including representatives of political parties, women’s organisations, democracy and governance civil society organisations, activists, private and state media, as well as international organisations such as the United Nations.

Themed Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Access to Information to Enhance Electoral Integrity, the summit was held to discuss the growing signs of a shrinking civic space in Botswana, and the urgency to take action against the suppression of the media and dissenting voices leading up to the country’s elections to be held towards the end of the year, in 2024.

A research paper focusing on the state of free expression in Botswana in the period between 2019-2024, compiled by Dr. Allen Munoriyarwa on behalf of the Campaign for Free Expression, set the tone for the summit. The research concluded that although the constitution of Botswana protects freedom of expression and speech, and the country is hailed as a leading democracy in the region, and in Africa at large, in practice, there are some worrying trends that interfere with free expression and access to information that need to be addressed. Among these are the monopoly of private media, political interference in state media, absence of community radio stations, strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP), and a dying civil society. The research served as an early-warning system to caution role players on what has gone wrong, who the main actors threatening free expression and limiting access to information are, and what can be done to salvage the situation.

Speakers at the summit included election candidates from various political parties, lawyers, journalists, gender justice advocates, civil society, academics, and regional and international experts on freedom of expression and elections. They all echoed the same sentiments, highlighting the need for Botswana to safeguard its democratic principles by ensuring diversity of voices in matters of public life. They underscored the need for the country’s civil society to be more active and independent, most importantly by not relying on government funding as this undermines their independence. The same was articulated on the media. A call was made for the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority to implement a court ruling in the case of Mmegi Publishing Company’s ownership – where the owner was ordered to divest his interest in the media space to allow more voices. The owner, who was said to be politically connected, was said to control almost two thirds of all non-state media in Botswana,

Other issues of concern were the myriad of laws hindering free expression, such as the Sedition laws, National Security law, the Cyber Security Act, and the Civil Service Act (found to be weaponised against civil servants raising alarm against corruption). These laws were said to breed fear, mistrust and self-censorship.

Furthermore, the limitations placed by government departments on accessing information in their offices often was said to lead to speculation amongst the media when they want to report on government projects. Such speculation results in inefficient reporting which those with power and influence then exploit in their favour to avoid accountability by suing the media for defamation. Delegates agreed that an Access to information law would aid in resolving some of these challenges.

The summit spoke in one voice against the terror unleashed by the Director of Intelligence and State Security (DISS), notorious for illegally surveilling, arresting and or holding civil society activists, opposition politicians, and investigative journalists in detention without charges, confiscating their gadgets and illegally retrieving information – which compromises the security of whistleblowers and journalists’ sources.

There was also a caution raised around the increase in misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms, especially on social media. Recommendations were made to hold service providers of social media platforms accountable for their biased algorithms that tend to promote click-baits and spread misinformation and disinformation in the process. The mushrooming of unregulated social media outlets, parading as Online media was also highlighted as a concern. Some were suspected to be sponsored by opponents within the political system, giving rise to fear and attacks on political activists, women and female journalists.

In conclusion, the summit culminated in the development of a clear action plan to tackle legislative and systemic hindrances to access to information and freedom of expression. Delegates also adopted a declaration signifying their commitment to holding power to account to ensure that avenues for freedom of expression and access to information are implemented.

Botswana Freedom of Expression Pre-Elections Summit

 Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Access to Information to Enhance Electoral Integrity

Speaker / Facilitator list

Download the complete list.