strengthen and build. Thus, challenges continue to persist, affecting the level to which advocacy on media freedom, freedom of expression and welfare of journalists can be pitched. Regardless, Botswana continues to enjoy media diversity across all media platforms – print, broadcast and digital. Naturally, this should mean that there is widespread access to information; however, near-prohibitive costs of generating, distributing and accessing information have proved to be major stumbling blocks. Given the fact that most media houses concentrate on prioritising to service only to major cities, many parts of the country are left out, with devastating consequences for the plurality of voices in the mainstream media. This has also adversely affected the level to which such an urban-centric media can show diversity of news sources, including women and other marginalised voices. Women tend to make it as news sources only when issues that are deemed relevant to them are being covered. These include gender-based violence, inheritance disputes and lifestyle. The situation is further exacerbated by the absence of community media, especially broadcast, whose existence is barred by legislation such as the Communication Regulatory Act. This means that in crucial years, such as 2014 when Botswana held elections, there was a strain imposed on all national media to sufficiently cover the entire country and satisfy access to information needs. Only the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) has the power to call for licence applications. However, given the new legislative framework, no calls for community media will be made in the near future. Editorial independence in both State and private media is, based on this report, seen to be irregular at best and compromised at worst. Direct control by the Office of the President of State-run media outlets – especially broadcast media – means that this office oversees all production processes and that these media routinely fail to conduct one of their sacred duties – holding power to account. The arrangement explains, to a higher degree, the overwhelming focus in coverage by State-run media on the presidency. Private media appear to enjoy some form of independence from State authorities, except when the DIS and powerful State enterprises are involved. Threats to editorial independence emanate from corporate advertisers, whose advertising spend often means the difference between sustainability and ceasing operations. As a result, self-censorship seems to be the norm in most private media newsrooms. Where there is an exception, it often means that the editor or other higher management personnel spike a journalist’s story that can prove damaging to an advertiser. Government, on the other hand has usually responded to critical private media by withholding advertising. 8 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Botswana 2014