SECTOR 2

‘So, there have been sparks of excellence in investigative journalism but these
have been rare.’

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 = 3.0; 2007 = 3.1; 2009 = 2.9;
2011 = 3.7; 2014 = 3.0)

2.10 Private broadcasters deliver a minimum of quality
public interest programmes.
In Botswana, private broadcasters deliver a minimum of quality public interest
programmes, covering entertainment, socio-political and cultural issues; despite
their limited resources.
There is ‘an attempt’ to diversify public interest content. Yarona FM, for instance,
caters for the Batswana youth and focuses on their key issues of interest, ranging
from socio-political to lifestyle issues. A programme on Gabz FM with a female
presenter started to not only represent young women, but to also delve into
issues of importance to them, allowing them to identify with the content.
‘Programming is going [toward] a different [more progressive] direction.’
Some radio stations changed their music/talk ratios. Gabz FM is increasing its
previously 20/80% music/talk ratio to a 40/60% ratio to adapt to the audience’s
desire for increased content engagement.
Sometimes, ‘matters of public interest are not thoroughly debated’ on broadcast
media, including ‘issues such as bills that are before Parliament (and) court
judgements that...impact on our lives.’ Often, the focus is on content that is
thought to be interesting for the public, leading to the neglect of some relevant
public interest issues.
The only public TV station, eBotswana, produces little local content with their
focus on news; for the rest of their programming, the station relies on content
from its South African sister channel, e.tv.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2018

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