MISA Regional Annual Report 2023 Introduction The MISA Botswana Chapter underwent significant challenges before the new board assumed office on 21 January 2023. The previous board, except the chairperson, demonstrated limited activity, leaving operational duties primarily to the chairperson and the finance officer. Stakeholder engagement initiatives were set in motion to encourage collaboration and enhance professionalism, targeting prevalent shortcomings. Additionally, regularising the Chapter’s existence and aligning governing instruments with regional standards was yet another significant challenge for the new board. Addressing these challenges required strategic planning, collaboration, and a commitment to revitalising the organisation. State of the media In the year 2023, two major incidents happened, bordering on press freedom abuse andcybersecurity issues: DISS arrests In July 2023, the editor of Mmegi newspaper, Ryder Gabathuse and senior political reporter, Innocent Selatlwa, were detained by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS), for allegedly owning leaked information from the spy agency. The two were released following MISA Botswana’s intervention. Pressure and publicity of the case from MISA Botswana and the Editors Forum of Botswana also helped secure the pair’s release. Data Protection Act Two separate incidents occurred in Country Reports Snapshots November 2023, prompting MISA Botswana to step in to defend journalists’ rights. In the first instance, the Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Beauty Morukana Manake, took to the social media platform Facebook to share her WhatsApp conversations with freelance journalist Kabo Ramasia. The screenshots of the messages shared by the minister contained Ramasia’s number. This practice is known as doxxing, where someone publishes private or identifies information with malicious intent. This is an increasingly common form of digital harassment. The assistant minister has over 63,000 friends and followers on her Facebook account. DumaFM anchor Kealeboga Dihutso was cyberbullied by an opposition party activists group going by the name “Madibelatlhopho”. The group associated with the main opposition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, also published Dihutso’s numbers. In a statement, MISA Botswana noted that sharing personal information and contacts contravened the law, the Data Protection Act, and exposed the journalists to cyber-attacks. Activities Elective AGM - January 2023 MISA Botswana successfully conducted its Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM), electing a new National Governing Council (the board). This board set the target of revitalising the chapter and ensuring it operates optimally. Digital Rights and Safety Event in Palapye In collaboration with community leaders and Dikgosi in Palapye, MISA Botswana 19