REBUTTAL; MASISI’S SUCCESSION PLAN UNDER THREAT

The BDP dismisses  the front  page headline  carried  by the Weekend  Post newspaper  of Saturday  01 -07 July 2023 as misinformed,  unethical  and a grand display of carelessness. The emblazoned  headline  is supported only by a shallow article found in the back pages of the same publication whose hidden  and  protected   source  can  only  be  the  drifting  Facebook  ghost account, Rre Ratsie Sethako, which has dedicated  its idle time to manufacturing gossip about the internal  affairs of the BDP.

The  BDP appreciates  and  promotes   the  significance  of  journalism   in holding  political  leaders  accountable,  but  we  are  disappointed that  the article in question  is more speculative and sensational  rather  than  backed by concrete  evidence. We believe that such irresponsible reporting contributes  to  the   erosion   of  public  trust   in  the   media  and   creates unnecessary divisions among the general public.

We  call  on  members   of  the   BDP to   differentiate   between   unbiased reporting   and  baseless  accusations  that  are  aimed  at  sowing  seeds  of discord within the BDP and proper news reporting. The allegations that the BDP leadership is engaged  in  plotting  against  each  other  or  seeking  to dethrone its elected leadership  without  providing any substantial evidence to support  the claim is evidential to the malicious intention  of the article. The credibility of the article piece is further  diminished  by it’s over reliance on vague statements and anonymous sources. Readers of the Weekend Post and  the  public  must  demand  of journalists  to  uphold  the  principles  of fairness,  integrity,  and  accuracy,  and  unfortunately  which  are  pitiably absent from the Weekend Post style of reporting.

We urge the Weekend  Post to adhere  to standards of journalism  essential to promoting transparency and fostering trust  among its readership if it is to be considered  a credible  newspaper. The newspaper would  do well in future articles to approach such sensitive topics with thorough research, multiple perspectives, and verifiable facts. Reporters should take it upon themselves  to  fulfill  their   duty   to  inform  the   public   accurately   and responsibly, without fuelling unnecessary animosity.

We  reiterate that   the  BOP is  a  firm  proponent  of  a  free  media  and recognizes  the vital role of journalism  in a democratic  society. We believe therefore  that  it is essential  for media outlets  to prioritize  the  pursuit  of truth  over click bait headlines  and controversy.  The Weekend  Post should take  heed  that  a  responsible media  is essential  for  fostering  a  healthy political  dialogue  and  enabling  society  as  a  whole  to  make  informed decisions. We call on the paper to consider the effects of their reporting  and hereafter attempt to report  with more accuracy, impartiality,  and professionalism.

K avis Kario

Secretary General