Multiple choice exam awaits BTV presenters
Freelance presenters at Botswana Television (BTV) are expected to sit for a multiple choice examination tomorrow morning, a move that will determine whether they continue working with the national broadcaster.
Information gathered by The Midweek Sun shows that the presenters, some of whom have served the station for years, were only instructed to report for the assessment with sharpened pencils. Details about the content and structure of the examination were not shared in advance, leaving many uncertain about what to expect.
The development follows an internal communication issued by Broadcasting Services under the Ministry responsible for state media. In the memo, signed by Director of Broadcasting Services, Stephen Motlogelwa, staff were informed of an internal advertisement for freelance positions within the department.
According to the memo, the positions are open only to serving freelancers, with the closing date set for March 23, 2026. This suggests that those currently engaged on a freelance basis must reapply and meet the new selection criteria to secure another contract.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that successful candidates will be engaged on a 12-month contract, earning P100 per hour. Applicants are expected to be Botswana citizens, fluent in both English and Setswana, and computer literate. Experience in broadcast systems such as ENPS, Quantel and Radioman will be an added advantage.
The recruitment process also outlines key competencies required for the roles, including the ability to work well with people, deliver results, follow procedures and produce written reports.
However, the introduction of a multiple choice examination as part of the selection process has raised concern among some freelancers, who say they were not prepared for a test-based assessment. Many had expected a more practical evaluation aligned with their on-air experience.
Some presenters are said to be anxious, fearing that years of service may not count if they do not perform well in the examination.
Others feel the process lacks transparency, as there was no prior briefing on what the test would cover. Efforts to get a comment from officials at Broadcasting Services were not successful at the time of publication.
Freelance presenters at Botswana Television (BTV) are expected to sit for a multiple choice examination tomorrow morning, a move that will determine whether they continue working with the national broadcaster.
Information gathered by The Midweek Sun shows that the presenters, some of whom have served the station for years, were only instructed to report for the assessment with sharpened pencils. Details about the content and structure of the examination were not shared in advance, leaving many uncertain about what to expect.
The development follows an internal communication issued by Broadcasting Services under the Ministry responsible for state media. In the memo, signed by Director of Broadcasting Services, Stephen Motlogelwa, staff were informed of an internal advertisement for freelance positions within the department.
According to the memo, the positions are open only to serving freelancers, with the closing date set for March 23, 2026. This suggests that those currently engaged on a freelance basis must reapply and meet the new selection criteria to secure another contract.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that successful candidates will be engaged on a 12-month contract, earning P100 per hour. Applicants are expected to be Botswana citizens, fluent in both English and Setswana, and computer literate. Experience in broadcast systems such as ENPS, Quantel and Radioman will be an added advantage.
The recruitment process also outlines key competencies required for the roles, including the ability to work well with people, deliver results, follow procedures and produce written reports.
However, the introduction of a multiple choice examination as part of the selection process has raised concern among some freelancers, who say they were not prepared for a test-based assessment. Many had expected a more practical evaluation aligned with their on-air experience.
Some presenters are said to be anxious, fearing that years of service may not count if they do not perform well in the examination.
Others feel the process lacks transparency, as there was no prior briefing on what the test would cover. Efforts to get a comment from officials at Broadcasting Services were not successful at the time of publication.
