SECTOR 4 Negative developments in the media environment in the last two years: o The enactment of repressive laws, such as the Media Practitioners Act and the Public Service Act. o The new dispensation of power since President Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s inauguration, and the resultant growing culture of fear. o The regression in local content on BTV. o The decrease in influence of the opposition parties. Because the opposition is weak, this contributes to the private media being targeted and seen as the opposition. o The economic stranglehold of government and its relationship to advertising in the media. o The looming government advertising bans on Mmegi and the Sunday Standard. o The mistrust within the media fraternity. o The registration of all SIM cards. Activities needed over the next few years: o The Botswana Media Workers Union (BOMEWU) must be launched and funding must be accessed for the union to function. This process must be drive by the media and pressure must be put on Abraham Motsokono who is the chair of the Botswana Journalists Association. o Challenging the Media Practitioners Act (MPA) in the High Court during 2009. Publishers and MISA are already facilitating this process. Once all local remedies are exhausted, MISA, with assistance from the Southern African Litigation Centre, should start building a case to take to the African Union body, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. o Information awareness and advocacy around the impact on civil liberties of the MPA and other restrictive legislation. The Coalition for Freedom of Expression (COFEX), uniting MISA, trade unions and other civil society players, should be responsible for this during 2009. The activities should be conducted in Setswana and English. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2009 69