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| Title | Freedom of the Press - Botswana (2002) |
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Country | Botswana |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Botswana (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4734503fa.html [accessed 4 June 2012] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Freedom of the Press - Botswana (2002)
Status: Free
Legal Environment: 4
Political Influences: 18
Economic Pressures: 8
Total Score: 30
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 41
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Tswana (79 percent), Kalanga (11 percent), Basarwa (3 percent), other (7 percent)
Capital: Gaborone
The free and vigorous urban press stimulates open and lively debate over political issues. In the state-controlled broadcast media, however, opposition and government critics have meager access. Broadcasts from South Africa are easily heard. The single television station has a limited audience, though there are a number of private radio stations. However, the long-time freedom of the news media was marred by several government actions this year. The government barred the private television channel from carrying a documentary about a white woman executed as a murderer. The station's editor resigned. The government also banned official advertising in the Botswana Guardian and Midweek Sun newspapers, and barred the purchase of these papers by government offices. The papers had reported allegations that the vice president had made unauthorized use of military aircraft.
Topics: Freedom of expression,
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