• ALERT Date: August 01, 2007 Persons/Institutions: The Tswana Times Violation: Other The Tswana Times newspaper has accused the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) of denying it advertising as a punishment for publishing an unfavourable report, entitled "Seretse Misled Batswana", about the corporation on March 16, 2007. According to The Tswana Times editor Sello Motseta the head of Public Relations and Communications, James Molosankwe, came to the newspaper's offices before the story was published and demanded that it be shelved. Motseta says he gave Molosankwe an opportunity to rebut allegations made by the paper’s sources that information published by BTC in its foreword, indicating that the 2007 BTC Telephone Directory and yellow pages were made in-house, was factually inaccurate. In an interview with MISA-Botswana, Motseta alleged that Molosankwe also threatened to stop advertising in the newspaper if the story was published. This threat, according to Motseta, became real when he was informed by his sources at the advertising agency that they were instructed not to give advertising to The Tswana Times. Molosankwe, however, has denied Motseta’s allegations and has indicated that decisions on placement and distribution of advertisements are based on several factors, which may include the nature of campaigns the company runs. • ALERT Date: August 01, 2007 Persons/Institutions: 17 Foreign journalists, human rights activists, including the head of Survival International, BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson, former Financial Times Africa editor David White and an Australian academic Violation: Other Earlier this month Government banned 17 people, mostly foreign journalists and human rights activists, from entering the diamond-rich country. The ban comes as the government tries to push through an Intelligence Bill that activists say could curtail freedom of speech in a country that has for decades enjoyed an outspoken press. The government denies the bill will muzzle critics. Earlier this month the government banned the head of Survival International - a pressure group that backed the Bushmen in their battle - from the country. The list of banned individuals also included BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson, former Financial Times Africa editor David White and another Australian academic who has criticized the government. • ALERT Date: May 13, 2007 Persons/Institutions: Citizens of Botswana Violation: Censored On May 13 2007, Botswana Television (Btv) tempered with a recorded discussion programme ‘Matlho a phage’ and removed comments that were perceived as offending to the government, the president and the vice president. The censored comments are attributed to the Vice President of Botswana Congress Party, Dr Gositegile Gobotswang, who was amongst the panelists that included member of the Executive committee of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party, Maxwell Motowane and a member of Botswana National Front, Mr Lemogang Ntime. Gobotswang confirmed to MISA Botswana that the censored comments centred around criticism of the President’s abusive language against backbenchers when he publicly called them Billy-goats that continuously growl in a new kraal. Gobotswang expressed his shock at the development and questioned why journalists should So This Is Democracy? 2007 -30- Media Institute of Southern Africa