SECTOR 1 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.9 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 = 1.3; 2011 = 1.6) 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. The registration process used to be a mere formality and media houses were expected to register with the Botswana Postal Service under the Printed Publications Act. “In the past it was a simple procedure, but in recent months it has become quite interesting – the conversations you have when you get there. Now you have to give information on the type of publication, the content, the shareholders, and what it will focus on and the core team.” Since the enactment of the Media Practitioners Act (MPA) in December 2008, media publishers are also required to obtain registration and accreditation through the statutory Media Council. Failure to do so will result in the publisher being sentenced to a fine of Pula 5000 (approximately US$ 500,-) or three years in prison, or both. The Ministry is also empowered to shut down print publications. 18 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014