SECTOR 1 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. Analysis: Prior to the passing of the Media Practitioners Act (MPA) in December 2008, newspapers had to register at the General Post Office, under the Printed Publications Act. The perceived intention of this act seemed to be to give legitimacy to the publisher as a company. The MPA, however, goes beyond this by demanding that publications are registered and accredited each year with the government, through the statutory Media Council. Failing to do so will result in the publisher being sentenced to a fine of P5,000 or three years’ in prison, or both. The Ministry is also empowered to shut down print publications. “This new act is about government controlling the entry into and practice within the media industry.” (See indicator 1.1) Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 1.0 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 17