Botswana SECTOR 3: 3.1 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent, the state broadcaster is transformed into a public broadcaster. Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body adequately protected against interference, particularly of a political and economic nature. ANALYSIS: According to the Broadcasting Act, 1998 the National Broadcasting Board (NBB) is appointed by the minister in charge of broadcasting. The board comprises an officer from the Office of the President, an officer from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, an officer from the Department of Cultural and Social Welfare, a representative of the Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA), and seven persons appointed from a list of 10 candidates nominated by a Nominating Committee. This Committee consists of a member of the Law Society, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and a representative of the Office of the President. The Board is funded by the ministry and the BTA serves as the Secretariat to the Board. Especially the role of the BTA as Secretariat was questioned, given that it creates the possibility of the BTA dominating the Board in its decision-making. The Board would need to have its own independent staff to do its work without direct interference from the BTA. It was also noted that there are plans to merge BTA and NBB to set up a combined body to deal with all aspects of broadcasting and ICT. The present minister is not as keen on such a merger as was her predecessor, so it might not take place as quickly as previously thought. Overall, there does not appear to be any or enough government commitment to the work of the NBB. The NBB has initiated and developed a draft broadcasting policy which was passed on to govern22 African Media Barometer - Botswana 2005