SECTOR 3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body that is adequately protected by law against interference and whose board is not dominated by any particular political party and is appointed – in an open way – involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. According to their website, BOCRA has the mandate to: ‘Promote and ensure enhanced performance in the communications sector; impose a universal access and service levy on identified operators for [the] purpose of funding universal access to communications; promote and ensure universal access in respect to provision of communications services; and effective regulation of regulated sectors.’25 The Minister of Transport and Communications, Onkokame Kitso Mokaila MP, appointed the current BOCRA Board in terms of Section 4 of the Communications Regulatory Authority Act of 201226. The board provides for seven members, but it is unclear as to who is on the current board as the list of names on the BOCRA website differs from the list of names provided in the regulation authorities recently released 2017 Annual Report. According to the website, one of the board members used to be the executive secretary of the ruling BDP party, and another a retired ‘commander of the ground forces.’ The appointment process is described as ‘secretive’, without any public consultation and/or involvement, which is why it is difficult for citizens to determine who the current board members are. Yet, one panellist acknowledges, it used to be common practice for the government to advertise the position of board members in the newspaper. Whether this was the case with the current board is unknown. In either case, the appointment process is believed to be disingenuous. 25 http://www.bocra.org.bw/board-of-directors. 26 ibid AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER BOTSWANA 2018 41