Botswana
2.2

Citizens’ access to domestic and international media
sources is not restricted by state authorities.

ANALYSIS:
Access to media sources is not restricted.
SCORING:
Individual scores:

5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5

Average score:

4.8

2.3

(2005 = 4.5)

Efforts are undertaken to increase the scope of circulation
of the media, particularly to rural communities.

ANALYSIS:
The Daily News has engaged private couriers and the newspaper
is now reaching remote areas. Private newspapers are outsourcing
distribution services to buses and other forms of transport in order
to extend their circulation reach.
The Voice, with a print-run of currently 35.000, is presently regarded as the private paper with the highest circulation, with figures still rising. It tends to appeal to the youth – which is a growing
market. But its scope of circulation is still limited to urban centres
and large villages. The circulation of other newspapers is generally
declining.
Many private publications have increasingly become available – to
those who can afford it - through the internet.

African Media Barometer - Botswana 2007

17

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