Botswana

Botswana needs to bring its laws and practices in line with international human rights standards to protect digital rights.

Botswana is located in Southern Africa with a population estimate of 2.4 million. Its1996 Constitution (as amended) provides for various rights including the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, privacy and others. The Government of Botswana continues to harass journalists by using criminal defamation charges to limit online expression. Although freedom of speech is guaranteed under the constitution, journalists and media are harassed for their reporting. Moreover, a government ban on private-media advertising causes the dominance of state-run outlets which are biased in reporting. According to the 2008 Media Practitioners Act all media workers and outlets—including websites and blogs— must be registered with violations punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

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  45.7%

  Households with internet access in 2017

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  41.4%

  Individuals using internet in 2017

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  2.1

  Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2017

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  95/180

  Press Freedom Ranking in 2022