It is quite interesting that Botswana's new president, Ian Khama describes himself as a democrat and that he joined the army to defend the country's democracy. That is commendable.

However, the new President has to be reminded that any democracy prides itself in its respect of the institutions that form an integral part of the democratic landscape such as the media.

Further, the right of citizens to openly criticise those who run government on their behalf, most critical among them being the political leaders, should be vigorously protected.

If it is Khama's exhortation that the media and other institutions that guard against government excesses should go about their work timidly with their heads bowed, he will be made aware that that would be out of character with the democracy that the Batswana are accustomed to, and unwilling to surrender. Tenacity in the protection of citizens' rights is precisely what distinguishes us as Batswana. "Batswana must be reminded that in a democracy, the rights and freedoms of one individual end where those of other citizens begin," says Khama in his inauguration speech.

How is the media expected to keep those who exercise power in check, under a regime of veiled threats that they should step out of line with what the government authorities view to be 'the rights of other individuals' or institutions. The country already has independent institutions that deal with those who trample on the rights of others. The country's courts have over the years, the larger limitations of the juridical system notwithstanding, have generally proved themselves quite capable of dealing with disputes. Botswana's courts, relative to the age of the country, have extensive experience in dealing with the cases - slander, defamation and false statements in the media - to which the new President refers. The country has its Press Council that has mediated in cases where people or institutions claim they have been offended by the media. With the institutions that the country has built over the years, there is clearly no basis for a false alarm about perceived wayward conduct.

On the contrary, it is in fact Khama's instruction that society 'should be disciplined' that raises cause for concern. Discipline is, generally, a positive attribute. But it is the kind of discipline the President is talking about which should be established. We hope - with time we might trust - that citizens are not going to be oppressed under the disguise of instilling discipline. Instead of the President talking about discipline, we want him to talk about how he is going to reform government to be less secretive about public information that they hold in trust. Khama should bring freedom of Information Act other than making the kind of threats that would shackle press freedom.

Today's Thought

"We change the world not by what we say or do, but as a consequence of what we have become."

Dr. David Hawkins