18 Aug 2024

Public media journalists have been cautioned to tread carefully in their coverage of the general national elections.

Addressing journalists during elections coverage training in Gaborone on Friday, Director of Information Services, Ms Maria Leshongwane advised them to maintain high level of professionalism.

She emphasised accuracy, and impartiality in the coverage of campaigns, voting and other activities related to elections.

She said as journalists, they had a responsibility to support the democratic processes and development as they were backed by the Constitution.

She said the previous observer missions’ reports were positive on media coverage of elections,  hence she encouraged the journalists to maintain the status quo.

“We are here once again to improve. You are advised to be well informed by familiarising yourselves with all important documents – the Constitution, Elections Acts and Delimitation report and other documents,” she said.

Chief Information Officer, Mr Thebeyame Ramoroka encouraged journalists to treat candidates equally and fairly.

He advised them to do research and inform themselves about election laws, read about previous elections as well as to understand boundaries of the constituencies they were covering.

“There is nothing embarrassing like an interviewee controlling the interview and dominating the stage because an interviewer has not done his or her homework,” he said. 

He told journalists that different regulatory frameworks existed to guide the media’s conduct in elections coverage and that editorial guidelines should be followed.

He advised journalists to avoid bias, inciting, repulsive details, controversy, and to avoid making political statements and opinions. 

Acting Broadcasting Services Director, Mr Buyani Zongwane reiterated that public media conduct was very important and therefore he advised journalists to  conduct themselves in a manner that would not compromise their work and integrity.

He said elections coverage plan would be shared with all involved in elections coverage and pleaded with them to exercise diligence as elections in their nature were very sensitive. 

For his part, Independent Electoral Commission Spokesperson, Mr Osupile Maroba said a total of 1 038 261 of voters had registered to participate in the upcoming general election.

He also said following the delimitation and demarcation exercise, there were 61 constituencies, 609 polling districts were demarcated, and 2 808 local polling stations established while the polling stations in the diaspora were 54.

He sensitised participants on the mandate of the IEC, the country’s electoral cycle as well as the laws governing elections in Botswana.

Journalists were further sensitised  on what was expected of them during elections. Ends