Tshiamo Motswatswa highlights the
current state of the media in Botswana
The media plays a vital role in society by keeping the public informed. However, certain policies and regulations limit the media’s freedom of press. There has been an ongoing transformation in the media since independence, but colonial practices still persist in Botswana media.
Botswana Media in the Colonial Era
During the colonial period, Botswana’s media was dominated by British publications and colonial bulletins. These did not reflect local voices but instead promoted British interests and values.
Indigenous voices were excluded, and local languages such as Setswana, the country’s main language, were sidelined in favour of English.
This created a one-sided narrative of Botswana, seen through an external perspective.
Botswana Gains Independence
In 1966, Botswana gained independence from Britain; however, this did not immediately guarantee media freedom.
The Botswana Daily News, established in 1964, is state-owned and managed by the Department of Information Services, created in 2004. The department has two main divisions: the Botswana Press Agency, known as ‘BOPA’, and Publications, supported by photography, graphics, marketing, publicity, and distribution.
With 24 offices nationwide, including its headquarters in Gaborone, the Daily News is accessible across the country. Its focus is on government communication, development projects, and public awareness.
Designed to serve the new nation, it focused on unity and development journalism. The use of both Setswana and English in its publications aimed to reinforce national identity, making it a tool for nation-building.
Media Control
Although Botswana achieved independence, the state-owned media still operates much like it did under British rule. Analyses of articles on the Botswana Daily News website show that the media curates information carefully. Headlines tend to be restrained; for example, “Police hunt for suspects”, which is neutral and highlights police action rather than the crime, reassuring the public of state control.
By contrast, in countries like South Africa, where investigative journalism is practised and the media functions as a watchdog, reports may be more confrontational. Headlines such as “26 killed in 1 week: Calls for Western Cape police chief to resign amid bloodshed” frame crime as a leadership issue and demand accountability.
Similarly, headlines like “Makgophe launches anti-corruption strategy” focus on solutions and state-led initiatives, highlighting positive action rather than exposing systemic issues.
While these narratives promote government stability, they also limit public debate and transparency.
Is it really decolonial media if there is a shortfall in transparency?
In Botswana, media reporting often frames the government as the primary agent in resolving national challenges. Such framing tends to privilege the projection of a favourable government image over critical public interest narratives.
Botswana’s media landscape reflects a decolonial journey that replaced colonial structures with state-led communication centred on unity and development.
However, decolonisation remains incomplete if transparency and accountability are compromised. True decolonisation would empower citizens not only with national pride but also with the right to scrutinise power openly.
Tshiamo Motswatswa is a Wits University Honours student in Media and Politics
