Botswana Other factors and conditions that make it difficult for freedom of expression to be practised freely and without fear range from cultural taboos, often gender-related (“women should not be talkative”), to intimidation and harassment by state operatives like the police, security officers and the army to stifle dissent from groups of civil society, NGOs or journalists. In general, there is no culture of encouraging creative and free thinking. But it was also noted that despite all these threats, the Botswana media still continue to publish what they want. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 4, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2 Average score: 1.9 1.3 (2005 = 1.9) There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secrets or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of the media. ANALYSIS: There are provisions in the Penal Code for criminal libel, sedition and the publishing of “false news” or news that might “alarm” the public. Government wants to keep the criminal libel and other restrictive laws on the statute books under the pretext of protecting citizens. Section 20 of the proposed Security and Intelligence Services Act will restrict the work of the media by – among other things – making whistle-blowing an offence. African Media Barometer - Botswana 2007 9