SECTOR 1 1.6 Entry into and practise of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted. Analysis: For the first time in Botswana’s history as an independent nation, the practice of journalists can be restricted by government. Since the Media Practitioners Act was passed in December 2008, it has been law that all media practitioners must register and receive accreditation from the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology before working as media practitioners. As the law is very new, an executive committee of the Media Council is still being set up to register media practitioners and, as yet ( June 2009), no journalists have been denied permission to practise their profession. 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 = 5.0; 2007 = 4.9) 1.7 Confidential sources of information protected by law and/or the courts. are Analysis: Confidential sources of information are not protected by law or by the courts in Botswana. There has also not been a test case in the courts in this regard and the recently passed Media Practitioners Act makes no mention of the protection of sources. In 1992, a journalist called Professor Malema (Professor is his first name) and editor Titus Mbuya were detained under the National Security Act in connection 18 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009