Don't be cry babies - Mbulawa

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Staff Writer | Tuesday May 7, 2013 00:00

 

Debating at a panel discussion themed 'Safety of Journalists - Impunity and Safety Online' last week prior to World Press Freedom Day, Mbulawa said police officers can only protect media workers where possible.

Mbulawa told journalists that when they are attacked it does not mean that the law does not protect them.'We are also protected by the law but we are sometimes attacked by people,' he told journalists. Journalists did not take kindly to his assertion that compared to other countries, journalists in Botswana are safe, adding that there are only a few incidents where journalists have been attacked. 'But I am not suggesting that one attack is not cause for concern,' he said.

He said it is police officers' duty to protect everyone, including journalists but 'never expect police officers to drop everything because of you', he said. Mbulawa said just like any other job, journalism has its challenges and journalists should always find a way to get their stories.

Journalists had raised concerns about their safety, especially in the courts of law. Mbulawa advised journalists to report when they have been attacked and promised that proper procedure will be followed. He, however, said he was not aware of any incidents where journalists were assaulted but knows of cases where suspects were restrained before beating journalists.  He also advised journalists to take themselves seriously if they want to be taken seriously. He gave an example of media workers who fail to accredit for events but expect to be allowed in just because they are journalists.

'Do not call me five minutes before your deadline and put me under pressure to answer just because you are pressed,' he advised. Mbulawa also rubbished claims by some journalists that security agents are spying on them saying they had better things to do.

'Honestly what can we find in you? Why do we have to follow you? If we wanted to spy on you we wouldn't have to tap your phones, we could do that just by reading your stories. We cannot spy on you, we are just too busy to do that,' he said. Journalists in attendance were also concerned about the gap that exists between high-ranking officials and lower officers in terms of understanding the work of the media.

Responding to Mbulawa's remarks, Editor's Forum secretary general Kealeboga Dihutso argued that journalists are not safe. He believes that there is need for extra protection for journalists because of the nature of their job. 'We are sometimes exposed to danger in instances where we investigate stories,' he said.Dihutso argued that because they are not attacked on a daily basis it does not mean that they are safe.