Most companies and media houses in Botswana are equal opportunity employers, with merit being the more important criterion for hiring rather than gender considerations per se. According to a study commissioned by MISA, only two media houses have gender policies in place (Voice and government media). Those that have no official policy claim to have unwritten gender practices and policies. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 3, 1, 4, 3, 2, 4, 4, 2, 3, 3 2.9 4.10. Gender mainstreaming is reflected in the editorial content. ANALYSIS: Various studies on the Botswana media such as a 2002 Gender Links study have shown that the editorial content of most media outlets is generally unbalanced, with 84 % of all sources being male and only 16 % female. One of the reasons discussed was the fact that many women in high positions are not forthcoming and will rather delegate a requested interview to a male colleague. Therefore journalists should deliberately seek out women and get their voice heard. One (female) panelist, however, asked why the media should be more altruistic than other players in society. The answer was that media are the eyes, ears, conscience and voice of society. As such they have the power to transform society and therefore a special responsibility. Another reason identified for the imbalance was that news coverage is too often merely event driven rather than issue driven, and that gender topics could be better addressed in issue driven stories. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2 1.5 Overall score for sector 4: 3.0 The panel meeting took place at the Cumberland Hotel, Lobatse, 17 to 19 August 2005. The Panel: Dr. Tachilisa Balule, Law Lecturer; Rev. Rupert Hambira, Church Minister; Ms. Beata Kasale, Publisher; Mr. Modise Maphanyane, Media Activist; Ms Felicitus Mashungwa, Journalist; Dr. Pinckie Mekgwe, Lecturer – Literature; Ms Nkamo Mokongwa, Lawyer; Mr. Solomon Monyame, Prodiucer; Dr. Masego Ayo Mpotokwane Lecturer - Environmental Science; Ms Clara Olsen, Editor The Rapporteurs: Mr. Methaetsile Leepile and Mr. Sechele Sechele The Facilitator: Mr. Hendrik Bussiek So This Is Democracy? 2005 -206- Media Institute of Southern Africa