Botswana SCORING: Individual scores: 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1.3 1.4 (2005 = 1.3) Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is legally unrestricted. ANALYSIS: Presently, there are no legal restrictions on becoming and working as a journalist. A new Mass Media Bill, however, recommends minimum qualifications for practising journalists, which will be determined by a statutory Press Council to be set up under this proposed piece of legislation. It was pointed out that the right to express oneself freely applies equally to all citizens – including journalists. The matter of professional ethics needs to be determined separately and without infringing on this basic right. Minimum qualifications should be set by the media professionals themselves as happens in other professions. SCORING: Individual scores: 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 Average score: 4.9 1.5 10 (2005 = 5.0) Protection of confidential sources of information is guaranteed by law. African Media Barometer - Botswana 2007