STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 DISS was established under Khama’s leadership with loosely defined powers and directly answerable to him and was allowed wide-ranging powers to arrest, seize and detain without warrant; all of which was legitimised through the Intelligence and Security Services Act of 2007. The initial optimism that the media freedom landscape would improve after Masisi became president in 2018 has been diminished by the continuing legacy of DISS in threatening and harassing journalists under his leadership. While there is no doubt that the climate of fear under Khama was far more pronounced, this succeeding administration’s reaction to certain situations require close monitoring as the potential for the government to abuse its authority is a lurking threat. According to the 2022 Freedom House report, Botswana maintained its 2021 ranking of 72 out of 100 countries on the Global Freedom Score, but it pointed out that media freedom remained under threat.(3) Botswana authorities are said to be routinely using digital forensics technology to spy on Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi 34 journalists, including those who are detained. The country’s media landscape, especially the broadcasting sector, is still dominated by Staterun media outlets who exhibit pro-government bias. An International Press Institute (IPI) factfinding mission during the period under review concluded that the public media served as the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) mouthpiece to the exclusion of other voices.(4) LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS An intervention by the regional chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa over the highly contentious Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Controlled Investigations) Act contributed to the Botswana government’s decision to remove some contentious clauses. In their interaction with government officials and other stakeholders, MISA highlighted worrying aspects of the bill, which included