SECTOR 4 4.6 Owners of established mainstream private media do not interfere with editorial independence. Analysis: Media owners interfere editorially to some extent, as “they also have an interest there”. Within the print media, most of the owners are very involved. It is only with large media groups, such as Dikgang Publishing Company, that there is clearly no editorial interference by the owners. In some instances, the editor of a publication is also the owner, such as the Tswana Times’ Sello Motseta, and therefore there is bound to be editorial influence. In cases where newspapers are run by boards, such as the Botswana Gazette, for example, the boards are not allowed to interfere in editorial decisions. The board member nominated to be the managing director or managing editor, however, “represents the board and takes all decision with regard to the newspaper”. “Sometimes it is justified for a publisher or managing director to interfere, editorially, especially when journalists do not have enough experience or when editors are seen to bring their subjectivity to an article.” 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: 2.6 (2005 = 3.0; 2007 = 4.0) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 63