Botswana 2.11. State print media are not subsidized with taxpayers’ money. ANALYSIS: The government-owned Daily News is subsidized directly by government. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Average score: 1.0 2.12. Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with media content. ANALYSIS: In May 2001 the Botswana government issued a circular to all ministries, departments, parastatal organisations and private companies in which government is a shareholder, ordering them to stop advertising in The Botswana Guardian and the Midweek Sun. The reason given was the “persistent negative and often hostile reportage on government and its institutions”. This decision was declared unconstitutional by the Botswana High Court later in the same year. At present, government departments use mainly the governmentowned Daily News for their advertising, with a lot of business going there, including tenders, advertorials and all other types of traditional advertising. This has been taken up with government and now the private press is getting a small share as well because some people in government seem to be ignoring the instruction. African Media Barometer - Botswana 2005 19