馃嚙馃嚰BotswanaSouthern Africa
Union leaders criticize President Boko over May Day remarks in Letlhakane
via Mmegi3 min read
Trade union leaders have strongly criticized President Duma Boko following his remarks during the recent May Day commemorations in Letlhakane, signaling increased tensions between labor organizations and the new administration. Robert Rabasimane, secretary-general of the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions BOFEPUSU, accused President Boko of "disrespecting trade union leadership and attempting to stifle independent labour bodies." Rabasimane's comments were made at an event organized by the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions BFTU and BOFEPUSU. President Boko's earlier statements at the event, which Rabasimane found demeaning, included his observation that Botswana is considered one of the most unequal economies globally. President Boko's animated speech appeared to be a response to the workers' struggle songs and the union leaders who had spoken before him.
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Botswana's Draft Media Bill of 2025 proposes the establishment of a Media Ombudsman to enhance journalistic accountability and safeguard public trust. This initiative aims to restore media credibility and improve relations between the media and the public, especially as nations confront issues like disinformation and misinformation. The proposed independent Office of the Media Ombudsman, operating under the Media Council, would receive complaints, mediate disputes between the public and the media, recommend remedies, and promote ethical journalism. Unlike the often expensive and slow court system, the Ombudsman is designed as an accessible, non-judicial mechanism for resolving media disputes. Historically, Botswana's media environment has relied on statutory regulation, self-regulation, and legal remedies like defamation litigation. However, individuals wronged by inaccurate reporting or ethical breaches often faced limited options: either complain directly to the media house without guaranteed satisfaction or pursue costly legal action. The proposed Ombudsman seeks to bridge this gap by providing an independent, impartial, and non-judicial body to resolve complaints regarding journalistic conduct and media content. The legislation specifies that the Ombudsman will operate free from external direction or control, which is crucial for maintaining public trust in the fairness of the process. The Ombudsman's primary responsibilities will include investigating complaints and medi
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The requested page, which appears to be related to "Elevate Africa launches Threads of Africa Fashion Film prize 2026," could not be found on the Mmegi website. The site displayed a "404 The page you're looking for does not exist!" error message. Mmegi is described as a leading independent source for news, current affairs, politics, business, sport, and entertainment in Botswana.