SECTOR 2 2.12 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content. In October 2014, parastatals were asked to pass their adverts through their responsible Ministry and provide the Office of the President with details of their advertising expenditure – where the advert was being placed and the cost thereof. This information was being requested, allegedly to curb excessive spending. “Apparently some CEOs were commissioning centrespreads about themselves. However it still seems strange that they have to send it to the Office of the President.” Panellists felt that the government “cripples” certain media organisations by withdrawing their advertising from them. The Sunday Standard does not get advertising because it is at loggerheads with government and the Botswana Defence Force has stopped advertising in The Guardian. The issue was raised at a meeting with the former Minister of Defence and the “official excuse was that due to budgetary constraints they were unable to advertise in the paper. But it’s all about the stories in the paper; it’s a control measure but they won’t come out and say it.” 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: 40 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014 1.5 (2005 = 1.3; 2007 =2.4; 2009 = 1.1; 2011 = 1.7)