SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the state broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. Analysis: The Broadcasting Act of 1998 makes provision for the three tiers of broadcasting: public, commercial and community. However, a draft Broadcasting Policy has never been passed and, thus, the mechanism of implementation has not yet been put in place. The Act establishes the broadcasting regulator, the National Broadcasting Board (NBB), which became operational only in 2001. The regulator by then was compelled to continue allowing ‘public’ and private broadcasters to exist, but has never licensed a community broadcaster. The draft Broadcasting Policy was in fact withdrawn in 2007, around the time of the high-profile eviction of the Basarwa (San) from the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve. “There had been much talk of community radio stations in Botswana up until that point, but the government was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of people speaking freely, and so the policy was withdrawn.” Government officials have commented in the past on the danger of community radio stations, citing the example of how radio was used to incite genocide in Rwanda. The Minister of Communications, Science and Technology has apparently stated that the Broadcasting Policy will be coming to Parliament in its next session in June 2009. 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009