follows a similar incident the previous week when the business-tycoon-turned-politician, Masitara, would not avail himself for the recording citing “other obligations.” When reached for comment Masitara’s Campaign Manager Segaetsho Garekwe said that they turned down the offer mainly because of time constraints. However, the BNF on the other hand has dismissed this as a mere political chicanery on the part of Masitara and double standards on that of the national broadcaster. · ALERT Date: October 7, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Kate Harriman Violation: Threatened Gabz-FM and the host of its “Consumer Watchdog” programme, Kate Harriman, have been threatened with legal action by Shoprite (Retail Holding Botswana). In a letter dated October 7, 2005, and signed by Shoprite Director A N van Zyl, the retail chain alleged that Harriman was abusing her position to launch an unwarranted and “biased attack on Shoprite and its officials.” “[W]e strongly suggest that you cease your biased public criticism which is both unfair and unwarranted. Our rights are accordingly reserved to take whatever legal action we consider appropriate against both you and your radio station,” the letter reads in part. In an interview with MISA Botswana, Harriman said she had looked into an incident in June in which a woman, Joyce Moloi, injured herself when she tripped over builders’ shelves left by construction workers in the store. Harriman explained that on June 8, 2005, Moloi had written a letter to Shoprite management claiming the right to compensation for her injuries. No response was forthcoming and Harriman re-faxed the letter in an attempt to follow up on the matter. Only in September did the insurance company respond to the radio programme to verify a 210 Pula (approx. US$38) insurance claim for Moloi. · ALERT Date: September 2005 Persons/Institutions: Chedza Simon, Lemporwana Kabo (Media in Botswana) Violation: Censored Urban Customary Court President Isaac Dikwalo Monametsi has banned journalist covering court sessions with effect from September 2005. This came to light when “The Voice” reporter Chedza Simon and photographer Lemporwana Kabo were denied coverage of an assault case being heard in the court. Simon told MISA Botswana that the deputy Court President Kgosi Moosi Sebele asked them to seek for permission to record court proceeding from Monametsi who in turn refused to grant them permission and ordered them to leave. When contacted for comment, Monametsi admitted that he has banned any coverage of proceeding following a story which appeared in a local newspaper in August and misrepresented facts of the case. However, Assistant Minister of Local Government (the ministry directly involved with tribal administration) Ambrose Masalila said Monametsi’s decision was not right as each case had to be treated on its merit, when it comes to a Court President’s power. He told MISA Botswana that Monametsi could not take a blanket decision over one case he felt was “misrepresented”. · ALERT Date: August 31, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Tshepo Molwane Violation: Beaten So This Is Democracy? 2005 -46- Media Institute of Southern Africa