Botswana is too often merely event driven rather than issue driven, and that gender topics could be better addressed in issue driven stories. SCORES: Individual scores: 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2 Average score: 1.5 4.6. Journalists and editors do not practice self-censorship. ANALYSIS: As far as possible editors try not to censor themselves. But they do face some cultural constraints, such as respect for elders. Sometimes self-censorship is practiced when editors do not cover a story on prominent people who are misbehaving and abusing their office. Editors have to live with an “unbelieving society” that thinks newspapers are quite prepared to make up their stories. However, the situation has not become so serious as to have reached a “stage of unhealthiness”. SCORES: Individual scores: 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3 Average score: 2.5 4.7. Owners of private media do not interfere with editorial independence. ANALYSIS: Journalists are generally free to write what they want and only editors check their stories to make sure they are accurate and balanced. Unlike in Britain, for example, newspapers in Botswana are 34 African Media Barometer - Botswana 2005