SECTOR 1 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: ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2.8 (2005 = 2.6; 2007 = 2.3; 2009 = 1.9; 2011 = 2.7; 2014 = 3.7) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Freedom of Expression under Surveillance Since Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama stepped down as the serving Botswana State President on 1 April 2018, there has been little change in the restrictive atmosphere of the preceding decade. Free expression is a ‘right that has been taken away for the past ten years...’2, the ‘military junta has invaded our space, people were shot...’ All of this has resulted in a prevailing ‘sense of fear and uneasiness’ among journalists and the wider public, who are afraid of communicating openly, ‘even in our bedrooms.’ Citizens were afraid of being spied on by their colleagues, peers and neighbours. ‘People went quiet because of mistrust....’ ‘If at least these people would wear uniforms,’ then it would be easier to be aware of who is a threat. ‘I was very sceptical around people that I do not know...in fact, even people that I knew.’ The atmosphere of mistrust and trepidation, alongside inherent self-censorship, had far-reaching ramifications for the availability and dissemination of vital public information; such as the shortage of medication for diabetics, fearing negative repercussions for sharing such information. The widespread agitation did not seem without precedent. Following the passing of the Intelligence and Security Services Act in 2007, the DISS was created in April 2008 (under the previous administration), on the same day that Ian Khama 2 In reference to Ian Khama’s 10-year presidency, which ran from 2008 to 2018. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2018 9