Media Institute of Southern Africa : Promoting Media Diversity . Pluralism . Self-Sufficiency . Independence

Masimolole said he supports other MPs who have urged the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, to consider withholding the bill pending further consultations. The bill seeks to establish a Press Council for Botswana for the purpose of preserving the maintenance of high professional standards within the industry as well as register journalists. Only registered journalists would be allowed to work in Botswana.

Contributing on the same issue Letlhakeng East MP, Dr Gordon Mokgwathi said the news media should be accorded the right to regulate itself through its code of ethics. Dr Mokgwathi said the proposed bill gave the minister the right to appoint members of crucial committees, which contravenes the principle of self-regulation as desired in news media practice.

He said the fact that government would be financing the activities of the proposed press council through tax payer's money meant somebody would have to account to the public which will undermine the principle of self-regulation.

Dr Mokgwathi said "he who pays the piper calls the tune" to support his argument. He added that the bill would give the government the power to interfere with the media. He said self-regulation means no government involvement. He added that he was against self-regulation being made into a law, arguing that in countries where there was a press council such as Australia, self-regulation was not made through legislation.

He asked whether the private news media and the public one would be treated the same under the proposed bill.

MP Masimolole said he wonders why the minister is seeking to take charge of the entire media industry when she is in unable to control the departments of information and broadcasting services. MP Masimolole said the minister recently admitted that she was unable to control the Department of Broadcasting Services which resulted in three leadership changes in the department and culminated with the failure by the leadership to apply for a broadcasting license for Radio Botswana 2.