Botswana

In: Index on censorship, Band 21, Heft 4, S. 64-67

Abstract

We believe that freedom of the press is one of the cornerstones of democracy. For democracy to thrive there must be adequate public debate on issues of importance to the nation ... I wish to assure [the press] that they have nothing to fear from the government. It has always been our policy to encourage the development of the responsible, independent press in this country ... We recognise that such a press will not necessarily be sympathetic towards everything that government says or does, but we shall always uphold its right to express an independent view of any issues of concern.