SECTOR 3 3.3 The body regulates broadcasting services and licences in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. Analysis: The NBB is tasked with issuing broadcasting licences, but as yet has no Broadcasting Policy to guide its work. Since its existence in 2001, it has continued to grant public and private radio and television broadcasting licences, but has not granted any community broadcasting licences. Thus, the regulator does not appear to be granting licences in the public interest, but rather in the interests of the state. A community radio station called Naledi FM, from one of the poorest communities in Gaborone, Old Naledi, was set up in 2007 in an attempt to give the citizens there a voice. However, because they were unable to get a community broadcasting licence from the NBB they have not been able to operate, even though they have all the necessary broadcasting equipment. The station’s management has threatened to start broadcasting from South Africa or via the internet. However, with the new Media Practitioners Act, all Botswana websites must be registered and receive permission to operate from the statutory Media Council. Thus, online radio stations could be forced to stop operating by the state. A religious radio station, Soul FM, which has also not been licensed by the NBB, is already broadcasting online while it awaits a community FM licence. 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: 1.8 (2005 = 1.3; 2007 = 2.1) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 45