As noted during the first Barometer two years ago, there is still general confusion over the difference between ‘government’ and ‘public’, with the two often taken to be one and the same thing: public interest equals government interest and vice versa – hence who is against government is against the public. The same applies in the case of the government and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) which are also regarded as one and the same thing. This means that if you criticize the party you are often taken to be criticising the people of Botswana as a whole. The people are regarded as subjects and not as citizens who have rights and towards whom the government has obligations. Other factors and conditions that make it difficult for freedom of expression to be practised freely and without fear range from cultural taboos, often gender-related (“women should not be talkative”), to intimidation and harassment by state operatives like the police, security officers and the army to stifle dissent from groups of civil society, NGOs or journalists. In general, there is no culture of encouraging creative and free thinking. But it was also noted that despite all these threats, the Botswana media still continue to publish what they want. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1.3 1, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2 1.9 (2005 = 1.9) There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secrets or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of the media. ANALYSIS: There are provisions in the Penal Code for criminal libel, sedition and the publishing of “false news” or news that might “alarm” the public. Government wants to keep the criminal libel and other restrictive laws on the statute books under the pretext of protecting citizens. Section 20 of the proposed Security and Intelligence Services Act will restrict the work of the media by – among other things – making whistle-blowing an offence. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 1.4 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 1.3 (2005 = 1.3) Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted. ANALYSIS: Presently, there are no legal restrictions on becoming and working as a journalist. A new Mass Media Bill, however, recommends minimum qualifications for practising journalists, which will be determined by a statutory Press Council to be set up under this proposed piece of legislation. So This Is Democracy? 2007 -151- Media Institute of Southern Africa