Petroleum Fund engages media to demystify pricing

Petroleum Fund has held a strategic dialogue and capacity building engagement with media practitioners on petroleum governance and price communication.

The Executive Officer of the Petroleum Fund, Makananelo Kome, said the media are key partners in ensuring that the public is well informed. 

With this role comes the responsibility to report accurately, fairly, and with proper context, she noted, recognising that petroleum matters can be technical and sometimes complex.

Kome said the purpose of the forum is to strengthen engagement between the Petroleum Fund and the media, and to build capacity for a better understanding of petroleum governance, pricing, and supply systems. 

“We aim to bridge the gap between technical information and public communication. Petroleum pricing and supply systems are not always easy to interpret. They are influenced by several factors, including global oil prices, exchange rates, transport and logistics costs, as well as taxes and levies,” she told the Friday meeting.

She also indicated that reporting on petroleum and economic matters requires fairness, accuracy, and responsibility, as misinformation can have serious consequences on public confidence and national stability. 

The Petroleum Fund remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous engagement with the media, Kome added.