SECTOR 1 in journalist homes, in politician’s homes, [and] trade journalists and lawyers’ homes because it was believed that valuable information could be found on their laptops, computers and other devices.’ Panellists believe that there have been ‘accidents, disappearances and killings’ against potential sources of information, but ‘we do not have proof.’ In such a restrictive environment, many Batswana ‘would rather die silently’ than speak out and risk their lives, health or property. Citizens are afraid to come forward ‘because they don’t feel they are protected.’ 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: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ 2.0 (2005 =1.1; 2007 = 1.1; 2009 = 1.0; 2011 = 1.2; 2014 = 3.1) 1.7 Public information is easily accessible, guaranteed by law, to all citizens. The constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression includes the ‘freedom to receive ideas and information without interference’ and the ‘freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference.’ This has been interpreted to mean ‘access to information.’ However, there is no law that enables or guarantees a citizen’s access rights to such public information. ‘If anything, Botswana is very secretive.’ It appears that ‘everything is confidential.’ ‘Unless it [public information] has been declassified, people will avoid openly discussing it.’ The fact that government employees are sworn to secrecy impedes accessibility of such information. In this secretive environment, ‘journalists end up speculating in desperation caused by the lack of access to information.’ The government introduced public relations officers into government departments who in practice are ‘used as a buffer’ to information access. Several years ago, while answering a question in Parliament, then vice-president and current President Masisi promised that government would draft an access to information bill. At the same time, he added the provision that the issue of data protection would have to be addressed first. Data protection issues have AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2018 17