SECTOR 2 “So it’s the opposite in Botswana, where government does not make the effort to promote diversity.” Small media houses that have limited resources are not given concessions and have to operate in the same manner as the larger and better resourced media houses. 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: 1.3 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 = 1.1; 2011 = 1.6) 2.7 All media fairly represent the voices of both women and men. “There was a time when efforts were being made to fairly represent men and women but this could be linked to the government policy that at least 30 percent of all government posts had to be filled by women.” Since this practice has slackened, the issues affecting women and about women have generally been sidelined. Women only feature as news sources on certain topics. For example, domestic violence is a topic that gives prominence to women. On most other issues, the voices of women are missing. Content – especially images – contained in the tabloids tend to push the stereotypes: “We are continuously promoting stereotypes that ladies are there to sell something.” “When I first started out on radio, most people have always thought I was male only later to realise that I am female as it is believed that females are not good producers and cannot handle the industry. I was the first producer for GABZ FM who was female and managed to get awards over 3 consecutive years.” 34 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014