Broadcasting Policy in Botswana: The Case of Botswana Television

Introduction

The notion of media policy in this chapter largely refers to principles and decisions of both the government and media professionals that direct the actions of the media. Media policy sets parameters and guidelines through which the media operates (Freedman, 2008). It must be noted that whereas no formal document exists on broadcasting or media policy in Botswana, statutory instruments such as acts and regulations are the main guiding frameworks. Such include the repealed Broadcasting Act (1998), Botswana Communications Regulatory Act (BOCRA, 2012) and Broadcasting Regulations (2004). Additionally, there are actions and decisions of the Botswana Government that guide the operations of the media in Botswana which include directives on coverage of government activities, and national elections to mention but a few. Despite these regulatory frameworks, it can be argued that the media in Botswana operates in a policy vacuum, as there is no national media or broadcasting policy. In view of this, the aim of this chapter is to evaluate the extent to which a lack of formal broadcasting policy in Botswana has impacted the successful operations of the media. Drawing on the development communication framework, this chapter focuses specifically on the national television service, Botswana Television (Btv). Within development communication, it is envisaged that the media plays an informational, educational and a unifying role in the process of national development (Amienyi, 2004; Lerner, 1958; Vilanilam, 2009). Subsequently, it is expected that media policies in developing countries’ contexts should be framed with the intention to aid social change. Given the lack of a formal media policy in Botswana, this chapter explores possible policy considerations that could guide broadcast media in Botswana, particularly the national television service, Botswana Television (Btv), with the view to improving the role of the broadcast media in national development.

Television broadcasting in Botswana provides an interesting area of study in that the country is considered a democratic exemplar in Africa, as well as an economic success story. Moreover, a national television service was introduced comparatively late in Botswana in 2000. In light of this context, it is intriguing to explore the impact of lack of a broadcasting policy reflective of the democratic and developmental guiding principles of national development in Botswana. Thus the overarching aim of this chapter is to explore the impact of the media policy vacuum in Botswana on the successful operations of the media’s role in national development.

This chapter will provide a background on the media sector in Botswana, with the view to articulating a context within which the national television operates. The chapter also explores policy initiatives guiding the operations of the media in Botswana as outlined in the national development plans and other official documentation. The purpose is to explore the policy issues framing “silent” media policy in Botswana, and the continuities and changes in those issues. The evidence, based on a review of various documents, suggests that national planning mostly focused on provision of infrastructure and technology, while content issues and the structure of the media were largely ignored. The chapter also provides an overview of discernable policy initiatives in the communications sector in Botswana. Such relate to media liberalization in the 1990s, to radical changes in the regulatory system that involve rejection of a national broadcasting policy, and to exemption of state media from oversight of an independent regulatory body.