“We are investigating and dealing with very smart and sophisticated individuals. Once something like this is made public they may interfere with potential witnesses and kill our case,” said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity. Advertising Ban A ban on the placement of advertisements with certain media houses has had a devastating effect on the sector. While top officials adamantly denied any mention of a ban and instead referred to the move as a rationing of adverts, members of the media intercepted communication that specified the media houses that government departments were able to do business with and the ones they had to avoid. This has resulted in several media houses downsizing and streamlining their business operations. Two papers – The Oriental Post and Monday Times closed down in early 2015 after declaring bankruptcy. Establishment of a media union As media houses contemplated streamlining their operations, journalists sprang into action and decided to resuscitate a media labour union to deal with possible job losses caused by shrinking revenue as a result of the government advertising ban. Towards the end of 2015, an interim committee was formed and registration documents submitted to the registrar of societies. The challenge now, is for the organisation to lobby for recognition by their employers. 22 So This is Democracy? 2015 MEDIA REGULATION Attempt to repeal Media Practitioners Act thwarted The Media Practitioners Act 2008 continues to remain a threat to the media and an attempt by Dr Phenyo Butale to have it repealed was thwarted. The Act compels all journalists to register and be accredited with a media council. It also creates an enormously powerful complaints committee with the authority to fine and deregister journalists who violate an ethical code that includes “fair competition”, “protection of privacy” and “unlawful publication of defamatory matters”. The committee is appointed solely by the minister of presidential affairs and public administration – meaning that the government, through its appointees, can strip journalists of the right to practise their profession. The legislation also gives the minister sweeping regulatory powers, including the right to make regulations on any matter “intended to safeguard the interests of the public and promote professional standards in the media”, and to regulate the registration and accreditation of foreign journalists. When Dr Butale introduced his motion in parliament during the July session to repeal the contentious legislation, he soon realised that ruling party members of parliament were targeting the amendment of only Section 15 of the Act which requires the Law Society of Botswana to appoint a lawyer who is then supposed to chair the Appeals Committee that is established through the MPA 2008.The only reason the Appeals Committee has