SECTOR 2 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: 4.0 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 = 2.1) 2.10 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content. The government definitely uses its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content. Although there have not been any regulations or court cases to this effect, there is a pervasive undercurrent emanating from state authorities towards private media: “ if you don’t behave and support the ruling party’s line, government advertising can be withdrawn”. Government officials are known to approach the private media with such threats and to strike deals with them. MISA Botswana reported having received regular calls from the private media, from which the government had threatened to withdraw advertising. “If you don’t behave and support the ruling party’s line, government advertising can be withdrawn”. “This situation does not favour the government. Everyone knows that if you want your advert to be seen, you must place it in the private media. The Daily News is known to be ‘stifled media’, and the readership and listenership in Botswana is with the private media.” The private media suffer doubly in this situation, because when the state withdraws advertising from the private media, the commercial sector follows suit “because the government has economic power”. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2011 35