Botswana Television

The Prisons Act grants relatives, lawyers, magistrates, and church organizations the right to visit prisoners for "rehabilitative purposes;" however, the Commissioner of Prisons has the authority to decide whether domestic and international human rights organizations may visit. Independent monitoring of prison conditions by human rights groups, the media, or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) generally was allowed if these organizations sought permission from the Commissioner of Prisons; however, sometimes permission was denied. The BCHR was denied access to visit Lehlohonolo Bernard Kobedi, a Lesotho national sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer, following the organization's criticism of the executions of four convicted murderers (see Section 1.a.). The ICRC visited some prisons in September. d. Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile The Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and ... [Read More]

Botswana (07/05)

In addition to the government-owned newspaper and national radio network, there is an active, independent press (seven weekly newspapers). Two privately owned radio stations began operations in 1999. In 2000, the government-owned Botswana Television (BTV) was launched, which is Botswana's first national television station. GBC is a commercially owned television station that broadcast programs to the Gaborone area only. Foreign publications are sold without restriction in Botswana, and there are 18 commercial Internet service providers. Two cellular phone providers cover most of the country. ... [Read More]

Botswana

Independent radio and television broadcasts from neighboring South Africa were received easily in border areas. Satellite television from a South African-based company was available readily, although its cost prevented many persons from subscribing to the service. ...

Botswana is a longstanding multiparty democracy. Constitutional power is shared between the President and a popularly elected National Assembly. On October 30, Festus Mogae, who has led the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) since 1998, was reelected President in parliamentary elections deemed generally free and fair; however, there were opposition complaints of unequal access to coverage by state-owned television. The BDP, which has held a majority of seats in the National Assembly continuously since independence, won 44 of 57 National Assembly seats. The Government generally respected the constitutional provisions for an independent judiciary; however, a shortage of judges resulted in a large backlog of cases. ... [Read More]

Nieman Fellowship For Journalists Now Recruiting For 2005-6 - "Gaborone Botswana"

Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience as a journalist. Journalists working full-time or as freelancers for the news or editorial departments of newspapers, radio, television, magazines of general public interest or online news organizations are eligible to apply. Each applicant must obtain the consent of his or her employer for a leave of absence for the academic year, August to June. ... [Read More]

“The Impact Of Money On Politics ”Invitation To A DVC On Campaign Financing At The U.S. Embassy On Wednesday, January 19 - "Gaborone Botswana"

Dr. Holman assisted in drafting campaign finance reform legislation, and has conducted numerous research projects on the impact of money in politics. He has authored or co-authored several studies on campaign financing, including Buying Time 2000: Television Advertising in the 2000 Federal Elections and The Price of Justice: A Case Study in Judicial Campaign Financing. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Local television is broadcast in PAL-1 system and sets manufactured in the U.S. for use on the NTSC system will not work. One of the two AFN channels received by the Embassy, however, broadcasts in NTSC. Bring a multi-system television and VCR or plan to purchase PAL-1 equipment at post or in South Africa (prices are higher than for comparable U.S. sets). Gaborone has a number of video rental outlets. ...

The National Museum of Botswana has a small but excellent collection of films about the San, wildlife, etc. Particularly worth seeing are John Marshall’s films on the San, one of which was filmed as a National Geographic Special for American television. The National Museum has agreed to make those films available to Embassy personnel. The National Archives has a copy of every research paper and report for which the Government of Botswana has issued a permit. This material may be studied at the Archives located in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Local HolidaysLast Updated:  10/1/2003 10:54 AM  ... [Read More]

The United States Diplomatic Mission To Nigeria: Information Section - Crossroads - Food For All

Frist’s delegation returned from 11Africa with a checklist of practices to follow to fight HIV/AIDS effectively: — Commitment of national leadership “at the top” to fight AIDS is an important factor in galvanizing government and society. Botswana’s President Festus Mogae, who had himself tested for the disease on national television, was an outstanding example, Frist said.— Testing is the “cornerstone in the prevention” of AIDS. “It only takes 15 minutes” and, besides determining infection, is valuable because it “provides a teachable moment ... when trust can be established,” Frist said. — Medical infrastructure is essential to make sure treatment and drugs are properly administered, delivered and stored as well as that medical staff trained.— Palliative care is needed to provide treatment and support to those coping with AIDS and those who are dying, including AIDS orphans. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: U.S. Congress Rallies to AIDS Battle

American film and television actor Danny Glover, an AIDS activist, returned to the United States from the Durban conference "with renewed hope and renewed energy" about the world community's commitment to overcome the pandemic. He predicted that the next few months will be critical in mobilizing world support against the disease, and he implored the lawmakers to muster the political will and financial resources necessary to meet the challenge. ... [Read More]

U.S. Embassy, Nigeria: Crossroads - April 2001

Information Resource Officer Stephen Perry responding to a welcome address at the Idia Renaissance Skills Acquisition Center, Benin City, Edo State. Seated (left), are Information Resource Center Director Mrs. Chinwe Agbakoba and Edo State First Lady Mrs. Eki Igbinedion (center). PAS Responds to First Lady's Appeal for Help to Combat Trafficking and HIV/AIDS The Information Resource Center (IRC) of the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos recently responded to an urgent appeal from the First Lady of Edo State, Chief (Mrs.) Eki Igbinedion, to help set up an "Information Center" on HIV/AIDS and Trafficking in Women and Children. Edo State is at the very center of trafficking in Nigeria, ... [Read More]

Remarks by Assistant Secretary of State Patricia Harrison at the CultureConnect Program Ceremony – Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Doris Roberts, Emmy award-winning actress, has created an enduring legacy in television, film, and theater. She also founded one of the first organizations to help young people with HIV AIDS. As a cultural ambassador Doris Roberts traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica, where she served as a mentor to middle and high school students—aspiring actors—and visited with children at a special HIV AIDS hospital. ... [Read More]