SECTOR 2 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. Analysis: Currently, citizens’ access to local and foreign media is unrestricted by the state. However, as the Media Practitioners Act is still in its infancy, there is uncertainty about what could happen in future. “Potentially the government could use the law to ban access to certain media – print, broadcasting or internet - that they feel are anti-government.” (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: 3.0 (2005 = 4.5; 2007 = 4.8) 2.3 Efforts are undertaken to increase the scope of circulation of the print media, particularly to rural communities. Analysis: In general there seems very little inclination in Botswana to increase the scope of circulation of the print media, especially to rural areas where populations can be so small that it is not economic. Distribution costs are high in such a large country with a sparse population. The Daily News is the only paper in the country that reaches a high proportion of remote areas, with other publications centred on Gaborone alone or on urban areas and large villages. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 29