The country’s first independent Saturday newspaper is expected to hit the streets next week, adding to a small but increasingly vibrant independent print media industry in the country.
According to promoters, The Weekend Post, to be published by ATD Media, is a wholly owned citizen company.
The newspaper boasts some of the most recognised journalists in the country in the former Gazette editor, Aubrey Lute, Mmegi’s former news editor, Tshireletso Motlogelwa, and the former Botswana Guardian Business Editor, Joel Konopo.
“There is a niche market for analytical and in-depth reporting in all aspects associated with journalistic reporting hence the birth of the Weekend Post. Of course, we do recognise and respect the role that is being played by existing newspapers in the country. It would be foolhardy for us to underestimate other newspapers’ role in informing the public,” says Joel Konopo.
The incoming business editor nevertheless regrets that the country’s print media’s line of reporting is almost event based hence the birth of the Saturday newspaper whose intentions are to look at issues from an in depth perspective.
Konopo says the editorial content of the newspaper will be informed and guided by the fact that there are readers who expect to be told in detail why certain things are happening around them who do not need to rely on hard news presentation.
“The sacred principles of journalism of fair reporting, balanced reporting and the right to reply will apply at the Weekend Post to enhance if not to take the existing quality of journalism in the country to another level,” Konopo told the Sunday Standard in an interview.
