The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Peya Mushelenga, emphasises media freedom as crucial for public information dissemination.
Dr. Mushelenga remarked this during a government media benchmark exercise between Namibia and Botswana, held in Gaborone.
Commencing his three-day working visit, the minister and his delegation embarked on a tour of the Mass Media Complex in Gaborone, a prominent institution housing BTV, Print, and Radio Services.
The visit was aimed at strengthening ties between Namibian and Botswanan media agencies while fostering mutual learning opportunities.
Dr. Mushelenga highlighted the pivotal role that press freedom plays in facilitating transparent communication with citizens, emphasising how unrestricted access to timely and accurate information empowers individuals to make informed decisions about matters affecting their lives.
The government media benchmark exercise serves as a platform for exchanging best practises between Namibia and Botswana with regards to media operations through sharing experiences, insights, and strategies related to journalism ethics, technological advancements in broadcasting systems, and content creation techniques, amongst others.
In addition to visiting various departments within the Mass Media Complex, including newsrooms, studios, and production facilities, fruitful discussions were held between delegations from both countries.
These engagements focused on exploring avenues for collaboration in terms of capacity-building programmes for journalists, research initiatives, promotion of cultural exchange through joint productions, and leveraging technology platforms for broader audience reach.
Botswana's Information, Communication, Knowledge, and Technology Minister Thulagano Segokgo applauded the Namibia delegation for making the visit, noting its value in strengthening bilateral working relations.
Minister Mushelenga expressed appreciation to the Botswana government for their welcoming reception and reiterated the importance of continued cooperation in advancing media development.
He emphasised that such collaborative efforts will enable both countries to strengthen their media sectors, while upholding press freedom as an integral pillar of democracy.