SECTOR 4 Editors are not always able to tell when journalists are practising self-censorship, but a few of the editors on the panel said they realised that journalists sometimes pulled back on certain stories, or that the final article was very different from the idea that was presented at the editorial meeting. They realised that something had happened, but it was not possible to tell what had happened during the information gathering process. “We had a solid story and we were going after these people, and then for some reason my investigative reporter just pulled back on it and I still haven’t gotten that story. It was initially my idea. It’s been two months and I’m still not getting the story.” 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: 3.2 (2005 = 2.5; 2007 = 2.4; 2009 =1.6; 2011 = 2.2) 4.7 Media professionals have access to training facilities offering formal qualification programmes as well as opportunities to upgrade skills. One of the most favoured training institutions is Limkongkwing - a Malaysian based university also found in Swaziland and Lesotho. When it first started operating the standards were considered high but they have declined over the years. The University of Botswana offers two 4 year Bachelor’s Degree programmes, Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS) and Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies (BAMS). The two programmes emphasise production and theoretical aspects of print and broadcast media. Government has cut its sponsorship for students in the arts; thus the enrolment for these programmes is dropping. There has been a general decline in standards across the board and most editors felt it was difficult to find journalists who can construct proper sentences. Newsroom personnel are unaware of the content of the curriculum being offered AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014 59