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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The myth of press freedom in Botswana: from Sir Seretse Khama to Ian Khama |
Author: | Tutwane, Letshwiti B.B. |
Year: | 2011 |
Periodical: | Journal of African Media Studies (ISSN 1751-7974) |
Volume: | 3 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 43-55 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Botswana |
Subjects: | freedom of the press media policy |
Abstract: | Botswana is globally respected as 'a beacon of democracy' in Africa and regarded as a model for the rest of the continent. However, the country's public media policy has never been democratic. This article argues that for all the plaudits that it has received Botswana only continues to shine because of its historical context and the elaborate machinations of the ruling party. The author supports K. Good's (1996) thesis of Authoritarian Liberalism as an apt description of this style of leadership. He articulates this by examining Botswana's media policy and the myth of press freedom under the regime of its first leader, Sir Seretse Khama (1965-1980), famous across the world for his democratic credentials. The author concludes that the current climate of media tyranny and democratic erosion is a legacy of Khama's rule. Bibliogr., note, sum. [ASC Leiden abstract] |