Botswana

On Friday 30 November 2001, the Botswana government published the contents of a draft Mass Media Communications Bill in the government gazette. MISA Botswana reports that local press groups, worried that the media bill proposed by the government would restrict free and independent reporting, have called for a public meeting to air their concerns and hear the public's perspective. The meeting will take place on 13 December.

Botswana Social Democratic Party (BSDP) has accused the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) of practising nepotism, corruption and favouritism. BSDP says under the BDP government, jobs are offered on partisan lines with key positions in the civil service going to BDP favourites.

The Director of Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Tymon Katlholo, has said that a well informed media could play a crucial role in exposing corruption and fraudulent practices in government, private sector and civil society among other areas.

The Botswana government is going ahead with a constitutional amendment following a controversial referendum in which only five percent of registered voters bothered to cast their ballot.

North East District Council secretary, Itireleng Phatshwane says government, councils, corporations and other organisations have lost huge amounts of money due to improper tendering procedures and practices.

Pages