BOTSWANA Introduction Transparency, consultation and accountability are just some of the attributes that have always found resonance in Botswana’s traditional participatory democracy predating independence in 1966. While traditional leaders were by and large born into office rather than elected, they were ultimately accountable to the people over whom they ruled. Well entrenched systems of checks and balances were deliberately put in place to guard against excesses on the part of those in power. A traditional leader, better known as Chief, had relatives (uncles) around him whose task it was to provide the leader with advice on behalf of the tribe. While it was their official role to “advise” the Chief, it was also widely known and indeed expected that the uncles were a restraining influence against what were significant and potentially destructive powers of the Chief, especially if left unchecked. The relatives nudged on the Chief to show compassion to his subjects. They also called on the Chief to constantly share his thoughts with his people and to always seek their input and guidance before taking far-reaching decisions. Efforts were made to enable citizens on the processes that determined the decisions taken by their leaders. Such arrangement continued long into independence, with Presidents always allowing room for public consultation, albeit to varying degrees. However, it appears that these open and transparent practices have not found their way in to Botswana’s modern form of Government, and there have been growing complaints that Government has been taking drastic decisions without consultation. Rationale and Research Parameters This year’s survey was carried out between the 23rd of May and 24th of June 2013. It assessed how accessible and transparent government and the public institutions of Botswana are. Eight institutions were randomly selected, based on the relevance of the respective institution’s contribution to society. The following Government and Public Institutions were surveyed: 1. Department of Information Services 2. Independent Electoral Commission 3. Ministry of Education & Skills Development 4. Ministry of Health 5. Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs 6. Ministry of Lands And Housing 7. Ministry of Minerals, Energy & Water resources 8. Ministry of Trade and Industry Aim of the Study The role of the public, government critics argue, has been reduced to that of a rubber stamp. Complaints have been made that government only gives out the information it wants the public to know about. Critics claim that without the sufficient provision of information, citizens have routinely been unable to make informed decisions on critical issues that affect not just their lives but also the direction of the country as well as the national public discourse. The purpose of the study was to assess the level of transparency in government and public institutions in the country. From this survey it becomes evident that Botswana critically needs such a Freedom of Information law. Many citizens in Botswana find government departments inaccessible, and claim that where information is provided, it is often provided selectively and whimsically by officials. In the absence of a law making it mandatory for the government to provide and release information on request, things are unlikely to improve in the short to medium terms. The Media Institute of Southern Africa Botswana Chapter (MISA Botswana) has noted during its multiple awareness-raising meetings on freedom of information, that citizens’ feel a Freedom of Information Act is critical for the country. Columnists, most of them respectable university professors, have often spoken out on the need for an Information Act. • To assess the level of transparency in government and public institutions against international standards and principles of access to information. • To influence the adoption of practices, laws and a culture that promotes transparency and openness in government and public institutions. • To inform advocacy and interventions by MISA Botswana and civil society across the country; and • To encourage citizens to exercise their fundamental right to access information generated, held and under the control of government institutions necessary for accessing other social economic rights. MISA Botswana and other like-minded organisations continue to wait for the promised version of the ruling government’s sponsored Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), in accordance with promises made by the Minister responsible for information and media, Minister Mokgweetsi Masisi. Speaking publicly over the 8 radio during World Press Freedom day, after the February date had elapsed, Minister Masisi promised the government sponsored Bill will be tabled in parliament in September 2013. MISA Botswana will continue advocating for legislation guaranteeing the right to access information. Objectives of the study Research Methodology The research adopts qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, and seeks to evaluate the level of public access to information held by government and public institutions. Each chapter conducts research by evaluating the websites of