Botswana : Opposition parties boycott current affairs progamme
PRESS RELEASE
The BNF and BCP BMD united in their resolve to protect democracy, freedom of expression and diversity of opinions have observed disturbing trend at the state owned BTV, Radio Botswana and daily news. These public institutions have been turned into propaganda instruments for the BDP. They have been used to spread malicious information and lies about the opposition parties and workers’ unions with a view to discredit them.
In recent time the BTV, Radio Botswana and daily news have imposed a news blackout on the public sector unions. Only the government’s view is represented in all news items at BTV, Radio Botswana and Daily News. The opposition’s viewpoint on various issues of national life particularly the public sector strike have been shut out of BTV, RB and daily news. The aim being to present the situation as business as usual.
BTV had invited the three parties to participate in Matlhoaphage current affairs programme which was to be recorded today (Thursday 9TH July 2011). The parties resolved not to participate in the programme until BTV, Radio Botswana and Daily News commit themselves to fair and balanced reporting. We feel that to participate in the programme will serve to legitimize an otherwise partisan propaganda machinery of the BDP and the state President. This state machinery is underplaying the ongoing national crisis which has been brought about by the intransigence on the part of the state President.
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Moeti Mohwasa for
Botswana National Front
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Taolo Lucas for
Botswana Congress Party
