Botswana 2015 violations & victories January 23 Newspaper website hacked A website belonging to the largest and only private daily newspaper, Mmegi was hacked and deleted by unknown attackers. Tlhalefang Charles, a reporter and newmedia coordinator at the Mmegi newspaper, told MISA Botswana that they suspect hackers wants to intimidate the organisation and delay their business. “Even though it is not clear who these hackers are, they definitely are coming after us because our website was hacked again about ten days ago.” March 30 Journalist arrest under Cybercrime and Computer Related Crimes Act Journalist Daniel Kenosi was arrested and jailed under in a case of unlawful distribution of pornographic or obscene material contrary to section 16 of the Cybercrime and Computer Related Crimes Act. He was also detained in respect of a criminal defamation charge in Francistown contrary to section 192 of the Penal Code. May 6 Gazette offices raided Security agents stormed the Botswana Gazette offices with a warrant to confiscate computers of the organization. According to publisher of The Botswana Gazette, Shike Olsen, the warrant that the agents were carrying was vague and did not state what it was they were looking for. The agents later left when confronted by the organisation’s lawyers. This incident took place three days after commemoration of World Press Freedom Day under the theme, “Let journalism thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality in the digital age”. May 7 Gazette lawyer, publisher, editor and journalist arrested Publisher of the Botswana Gazette Shike Olson, Editor Lawrence Seretse and journalist Innocent Selatlhwa were arrested without appropriate court orders. The arrest followed an eventful evening during which security agents sealed offices of the Gazette and preventing journalists from accessing the building.