3.6

Persons who have vested interests of a political or commercial nature
are excluded from possible membership in the board, i.e. office bearers
with the state and political parties as well as those with a financial
interest in the broadcasting industry.

ANALYSIS:
This requirement does not even begin to apply because there is no independent board controlling the public broadcaster in the first place.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

3.7.

1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
1.0

The editorial independence of the public broadcaster from commercial
pressure and political influence is guaranteed by law and practice.

ANALYSIS:
There is no law on public broadcasting in Botswana and thus no guarantee of editorial independence of any sort.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

3.8.

1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
1.0

The public broadcaster is adequately funded in a manner that protects
it from arbitrary interference with its budget.

ANALYSIS:
There is no such protection against arbitrary interference. The broadcaster is funded by the
government, which can cut or increase funding at its discretion.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:

3.9

1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
1.0

The public broadcaster is technically accessible in the entire country.

ANALYSIS:
85 percent of the population has access to radio. For television the figures are 60 percent via
terrestrial signals and 100 percent via satellite.
SCORES:
Individual scores:
Average score:
So This Is Democracy? 2005

4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4
3.1
-201-

Media Institute of Southern Africa

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