SECTOR 2 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. The panel unanimously agreed that access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. 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: ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ 4.5 (2005 = 4.5; 2007 = 4.8; 2009 = 3.0; 2011 = 4.8; 2014 = 5.0) 2.3 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. Editorial independence within government media institutions is non-existent. An editor recalls a statement from a former minister: ‘These people you call journalists are not journalists, they are government employees.’ Similar statements have been made by government representatives ‘so many times,’ that there is no question about the state media’s allegiance to the ruling BDP party. In fact, the official title of state media journalists is ‘information officers’ and they ‘are governed by the Public Service Act.’ Print media falls under the government’s Department of Information Services, which is responsible for the printing of the state newspaper and magazine (Kutlwano) and answerable to the deputy permanent secretary of the office of the president. Government media occasionally seek out independent and diverse sources, but with the requirement to ‘not say things that will get them into trouble’ with the government. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2018 27