would have to account to the public, which will undermine the principle of self-regulation. • ALERT Date: October 3, 2008 Person/Institutions: Media Violation/issue: Legislation MISA Botswana expressed concern at the gazetting of the Media Practitioners Bill for the second time after its withdrawal to allow for consultations. The bill was brought back despite the fact that no such consultations on the proposed law had taken place between government and media stakeholders. In a statement, MISA Botswana maintained: “The bill is an unfortunate occurrence in Botswana’s democracy as it steals away the very central pillar of people’s rights, which is freedom of expression.” MISA Botswana warns that the proposed law will damage Botswana’s reputation and image as journalism will be criminalised, as is the case in The Gambia and Zimbabwe. MISA Botswana further adds that it will continue to support the Press Council of Botswana (PCB) either to stop the adoption of the bill or identify better ways of dealing with the post-adoption of the bill in its current format. Media stakeholders in Botswana argue that self-regulation is the best form of regulation that avoids heavy handedness in dealing with the media. Date: December 10, 2008 The Botswana Parliament pressed ahead with passing the controversial Media Practitioners Bill. The bill, which faced fierce objections and outcry from the media and the public in general, is now at the parliamentary committee stage before the final vote. Meanwhile the media has mandated the Press Council of Botswana to take legal recourse. In a press statement, the Press Council of Botswana (PCB) laments the turn of events, stating: “Experience with the Botswana legislative system shows that parliamentary process is, in the majority of instances, merely a rubber-stamping exercise.” • ALERT Date: October 10, 2008 Institutions: State media Violation/issue: Other The Mmegi newspaper of October 9, 2008 reported that the state-owned media is being used as mouthpieces to advance government positions on civic issues such as its fight against alcohol abuse. The newspaper also reported that a similar directive was given regarding the government position on the Zimbabwe crisis. However, the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, denied the anti-alcohol abuse directive, saying no such directive was issued. MISA Botswana is opposed to interference in the editorial independence of any media. MISA Botswana noted that the state media has in the past proven vulnerable to abuse by the government as state-owned media is seen as government’s public relations unit. MISA Botswana continues to call for the transformation of the state broadcaster into a true public broadcaster as a way of guaranteeing its editorial independence. • COMMUNIQUÉ Date: October 13, 2008 Institutions: Bank of Botswana/Parliament Violation/issue: Other The Sunday Standard newspaper on October 12, 2008 reported that the Bank of Botswana (BoB) manipulated a report to Parliament, suppressing crucial information in the process. The issue emerged after Member of Parliament Gordon Mokgwathi asked questions pertaining to the lifestyle of the bank’s governor. MISA Botswana views this as supporting the call for a freedom of information law, which So This Is Democracy? 2008 -28- Media Institute of Southern Africa