Civil society representatives, journalists, academics and free expression activists have expressed serious concerns and highlighted a number of recent transgressions that threaten the integrity of Botswana’s October 2024 elections.

The group issued a robust declaration on free speech and free elections after a two-day gathering in Gaborone attended by over 100 people.

The June 24-25 gathering, themed “Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Access to Information to Enhance Electoral Integrity”, spoke out against:

• Arrests and intimidation of journalists, undermining the independence and safety of media professionals.
• Confiscation of journalistic equipment, stifling the ability of journalists to report freely.
• Harassment and illegal surveillance of journalists by state security agency – the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) – instilling fear and self-censorship amongst the media.
• Strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP), when government or the private sector use legal means to intimidate and silence the media.
• Lack of freedom of information (FOI) legislation, which is needed to promote transparency and accountability.
• Political control of public media, skewing the dissemination of information in favour of the ruling party.
• Proliferation of misinformation, threatening to disrupt electoral processes and public trust.

The declaration emphasised free speech as a democratic pillar: “Free speech is essential to our democracy and our economy and is constitutionally protected in the Botswana 1966 constitution,” says an excerpt from the declaration.

One of the important prerequisites for freedom of expression, they said, is legislative and structural reform: “We call upon government to repeal legislation that restricts free expression and enact legislation that supports free speech.”

The declaration concludes with a call to action for all citizens and institutions to actively advocate for democratic principles and human rights and for the government to uphold the integrity and freedom of the media.

The declaration garnered support from a diverse array of stakeholders, including the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), journalists and media houses including The Voice, Tswana Times, Mmegi, Botswana Guardian, Duma FM, GABZFM and the Botswana Editors Forum (BEF).

They all pledged their dedication to ensuring that the voices of all Batswana are heard and respected by engaging with the government and other stakeholders to:

• Introduce constitutional amendments and anti-SLAPP legislation.
• Ensure the independence of public media and equal campaign opportunities for all political parties.
• Promote digital literacy and responsible digital citizenship.
• Advocate for FOI legislation to enhance government transparency.

The summit has been a significant milestone in reinforcing the nation’s commitment to free speech. It was hosted by Campaign for Free Expression in partnership with BEF, BOCONGO, United Nations in Botswana, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and the University of Botswana’s Department for Media Studies.

Find out more: Botswana media and civil society highlight threats to free expression in the run up to elections

Contact:
Hanifa Manda
Project Manager
Campaign for Free Expression
+27 871 633568
hanifa@freeexpression.org.za
www.freeexpression.org.za