SECTOR 1 with wrongfully receiving and publishing a ‘secret’ government document.9 They were later released when the charges were withdrawn and the case was never tested in court. 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 = 1.1; 2007 = 1.1) 1.8 Public information is easily guaranteed by law and/or the courts. accessible, Analysis: Although freedom to receive information is constitutionally guaranteed, the Botswana Constitution does not guarantee citizens the freedom to seek information from government. There is currently no access to information legislation in Botswana that could force government officials to make public information accessible. The Public Services Act, National Security Act and the Corruption and Economic Crime Act also contain provisions restricting access to public information. While public relations officers (PROs) have recently been appointed to government ministries, ostensibly to facilitate the flow of information, this has not been the case in reality. These PROs, normally filling junior positions, are still not empowered to speak and be the ‘face’ of the ministries, as this remains the domain of ministers and permanent secretaries. All the PROs “She (Minister of Communications) even told the media that access to information legislation will not be passed because government has secrets to keep!” 9 archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/africa%20media%20review/vol8no3/ jamr008003002.pdf AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 19