SECTOR 4 expression (see indicator 1.1) and the fear of overstepping these laws results in journalists censoring themselves. These laws are not used frequently in practice, however, to clamp down on the media, and the biggest threat to the existence of the media is the economic power of the government (see indicator 2.10). “Those working in the media cannot even entertain criticism of government, because the economic repercussions could be so severe.” A cultural factor also comes into play in this regard: culturally, there is great respect for elders in Botswana. While in other countries, if a leader did something reprehensible, they would be exposed in the media, in Botswana most media houses – private and state-owned, print and broadcasting – are too respectful to probe into the lives of leaders, “There is a lot of unless a specific incident has come to court and is in the public arena. information that we know about in Botswana but we don’t talk about it for fear of upsetting society … and for fear of upsetting the government.” “There is a lot of information that we know about in Botswana but we don’t talk about it for fear of upsetting society … and for fear of upsetting the government.” The fact that Botswana has a small population also impacts on journalists reporting freely. 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: 62 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 1.6 (2005 = 2.5; 2007 = 2.4)