Botswana media bodies slam proposed surveillance law
According to the Botswana chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Press Council of Botswana and Botswana Editors Forum,“ the extent to which this will be abused, should just by itself have a chilling effect on the citizens.”. The media bodies called on the Botswana government to withdraw the Bill and engage all stakeholders“ on what it really seeks to…
APA-Gaborone (Botswana) Botswana’s media bodies are up in arms against a proposed law that they fear would infringe on their rights by allowing the government to intercept communication among individuals or organisations in the country.
The Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Controlled Investigation) Bill, which is currently being debated in parliament and was tabled by Defence, Justice and Security Minister Thomas Kagiso Mmusi this month, is expected to give law enforcement agencies the power to incept communications without a warrant from courts.
According to the Botswana chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Press Council of Botswana and Botswana Editors Forum, “the extent to which this will be abused, should just by itself have a chilling effect on the citizens.”
“As the media, we are very worried about the direct implications of this law on the work of journalists, trade unionists and other social activists,” the media organisations said, adding that it would jeopardise freedom of expression and makes the media especially vulnerable.
The proposed law would also force journalists and to disclose sources of their information, they said.
“This goes against the ethics of journalism, in particular, where sources of information are supposed to be protected.”
The media bodies called on the Botswana government to withdraw the Bill and engage all stakeholders “on what it really seeks to achieve.”
“It is our position that sensitive matters like the one addressed by this Bill must be subjected to intense public consultation, even before they are gazetted.”
JN/APA
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