SECTOR 2

July 2013 after a South African court ruling instructing Sentech4 to encrypt SABC
signals to Botswana.
Internet
Internet is prohibitively expensive in Botswana. Both public and privately owned
radio stations are beginning to stream their content over the internet as a way of
broadening their audiences. This has been accommodated by the implementation
of additional internet cafes in rural areas. However while the internet has become
further accessible, associated costs are still reasonably high making it unaffordable
to many.5
Mobile phones
There is 100 percent mobile phone penetration in Botswana, even though tariffs
are high. A majority of citizens use basic mobile devices for texting and calling,
while only the middle class have access to smartphones.

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:

3.1 (2005 = 2.2; 2007= 2.8;
2009= 2.3; 2011= 3.1)

2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities
Panellists were unanimous in their view that citizens’ access to domestic and
international publications is not restricted.
“We can now access international media without restrictions. We get publications
from everywhere.”

4
5

30

Sentech is the signal distributor for the South African broadcasting sector
Source: UNSW Wikispaces

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014

Select target paragraph3