SECTOR 1 well as the umbrella organisation, the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO) raise media freedom issues. MISA Botswana, as an advocacy group, also plays a strong role in advancing the cause of media freedom and is credited with making civil society aware of its rights and the role of the media in this regard. The self-regulatory Press Council is specifically tasked to look at issues relating to the media, including that of media freedom. “About ten or fifteen years ago, Botswana civil society was very timid, but then MISA stood up and seriously challenged citizens’ freedom of expression.” People appear to be speaking more openly now and there has been a visible growth in public opinion about media issues. There also appears to be more of a concerted effort by civil society organisations to work together. “The private media is virtually seen as the opposition to government. Their voice is much stronger than the official political opposition.” Ironically, the passing of the restrictive Media Practitioners’ Act (MPA) in December 2008, has been a boon to the media as it has helped raise public debates about media issues. “The private media is virtually seen as the opposition to government. Their voice is much stronger than the official political opposition.” Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 4.1 (2005 = 2.4; 2007 = 2.8; 2009 = 2.2) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2011 21