Govt pulls plug on radio call-in show

The Botswana government has defended its decision to axe the phone-in section of the popular radio show Masa-a-sele (Morning has broken), amid concerns it was taken off the air because it allowed callers to voice criticism of the authorities. "Abusive language has been used in the mornings - this is in the mornings when parents are driving their kids to school, and our culture does not allow for this type of thing. We felt that a public broadcaster could not be involved in this type of thing," said Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Boyce Sebetela, on 21 November. "The programme was discussing very important technical information like the pay structure of government, and voter apathy, which needed technical know-how. These need to be well researched issues if you are going to discuss them and, if you want to give Batswana balanced and factual information, surely you need a very knowledgeable anchor person or a resource person in the studio to engage callers as they raise a variety of issues," Sebetela told IRIN. However, according to a senior government official, who asked not to be named: "The main thing being raised is that callers were using abusive language but, honestly speaking, I do not recall abusive language being used. Those who may have used such language would have been taken to task by anchors for the programme, so the minister's response simply does not wash." There were allegedly no discussions with department officals before the minister took his decision. "Even ourselves, we do not know why," a source working within the ministry told IRIN. "It appears that the show was percieved as being too critical", and it was feared it was being used as a platform by opposition supporters to attack the government. Botswana has an enviable reputation for democracy and a track record of media freedoms. However, Abraham Motsokono, deputy editor of the Botswana Guardian and Midweek Sun, said the indefinite suspension of Masa-a-sele "undermines the editorial indpendence and professional integrity of Radio Botswana journalists and their ability to do their job without fear or favour". He added that the minister had acted without any public debate or consultation. Sebetela has also indicated that because of capacity constraints, Botswana Television would no longer cover political parties, including the ruling party, except for special events such as party conferences. The order was not expected to affect President Festus Mogae and Vice President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, because they represent the nation in their respective positions. MISA-Botswana has condemned Sebetela's actions as political interference in a broadcasting service funded by tax-payers' money. "As the nation's only public broadcaster, MISA-Botswana is of the opinion that Radio Botswana's role needs to be spelled out more clearly. MISA-Botswana supports a model for public service that is built around principles that ensure public accountability, independence from partisan manipulation and a level playing field for all political actors," MISA-Botswana director, Modise Maphanyane, told IRIN.