PRESS RELEASE - THE MEDIA DOES NOT HAVE AN UNQUESTIONABLE RIGHT TO PHOTOGRAPH STRATEGIC NATIONAL SECURITY INSTALLATIONS

On Thursday 18th June 2020, the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) intercepted two individuals surveilling and taking pictures of a highly classified strategic security installation.

Upon establishing the identity of the two individuals, it emerged that they were journalists from the Weekend Post newspaper purporting to conduct investigations for a news story.

As it is standard for any responsible national security organ, the Directorate then undertook to establish the interest of the said journalists in the installation.

It was then pointed out to the journalists in question that over and above being a highly classified national security area, the installation in question housed staff whose identities were prohibited from being compromised as per the Intelligence and Security Service Act.

The duo insisted on the erroneous view that they had an unquestionable right to surveil and photograph a strategic national security facility. The matter was reported to the Botswana Police Service who commenced investigations.

The Directorate has until now avoided commenting on the matter before the Police had concluded their investigations and advised themselves on the charges to press.

It has to be noted that following the appointment of Brigadier (Rtd.) Peter F. Magosi by His Excellency President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi in 2018, the Directorate opened itself to scrutiny by the public.

A Public Relations unit was established to create a link between the public and stakeholders such as the media.

The media is always encouraged to channel all its queries to the unit. The Director General also made himself available to a vast number of journalists and editors.

As a result, the Directorate established relations with virtually all media institutions and was able to sustain a healthy level of interaction notwithstanding the mutual suspicion/mistrust necessary for both sides to perform their respective mandates and responsibilities.

It is concerning to observe that beyond incorrectly suggesting that “Press Freedom” is limitless and unquestionable, media bodies appear to suggest that the media does not have a responsibility in safeguarding Botswana’s national security.

The definition of Media Freedom just like the definition of National Security, could never be reasonably understood to mean that either the media or the Directorate have indisputable rights to compromise the country’s national security or democracy which includes Press Freedom.

Both the media and security organs’ responsibilities are integral to any functioning democracy and should be protected.

Where the media and the public points out perceived limitations regarding the Directorate’s exercise of its mandate, serious internal policy conversations are always considered with the view to address such genuine public concerns.

[Signed]
Edward ROBERT
Public Relations Officer