Abstract
Although numerous scholars across the world have sought to explore the relevance of
television for development purposes in various national settings, there is a dearth of literature
on the use of television for development in the Botswana context. A national television
service, Botswana Television (Btv) was introduced in 2000 by the Botswana Government.
However, Btv’s role in national development has received limited research attention. This
study examines the role of television in national development in Botswana. In addition, the
study explores the factors that influence the performance of television in a developing
country context, with a view to suggest issues for consideration in media policy in Botswana
to improve the performance of the Btv.
This analysis of Btv was conducted through a qualitative research methodology that
comprised document analysis, schedule analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus group
discussions. This combination of methods provides data that contributes to a more holistic
knowledge of media and development in Botswana. Various documents about Btv and media
in Botswana were reviewed to establish the media policy issues relating to television
broadcasting in Botswana. The schedule analysis, which was a unique method applied in this
study, involved reviewing samples of Btv schedules from 2010 and 2011 to examine Btv’s
program output, specifically, the content related to Botswana’s national development
priorities. In-depth interviews with 37 participants provided significant insights into the
origins, role, and structure of Btv, as well as the socio-economic and political factors that
influence the service. Focus group discussions were employed to explore audience
perceptions of Btv programs.
The study illustrates that the role of television in national development in Botswana is
mostly consistent with the role of the media advocated by the modernisation theory of
development communication. The roles of Btv in this regard are education, information,
entertainment and dissemination of government information. Most research participants in
this study shared a common understanding that Btv should be a medium for diffusing
development ideas initiated by the Botswana Government, for possible adoption by the
public. Other roles of Btv relate to countering the dominance of neighbouring South Africa
media content in Botswana, as well as contributing to Botswana’s economic diversification
through advertising. The positive factors that validate the applicability of modernisation
theory in the analysis of Btv include planning for the introduction of the service, improved
transmission signal access, diverse programs that have been aimed at addressing
developmental issues such as health, education and agriculture, and the use of the national
language. Nonetheless, Btv audiences complained about limited cultural content on the
channel. A political economy analysis of the factors influencing the performance of Btv
revealed that the absence of a formal media policy framework has exacerbated the political
and economic pressures facing Btv, such as state control and limited funding. This study
therefore proposes that there is a need for the Botswana Government to introduce appropriate
media policy with more emphasis on issues relating to its broadcasting model, objectives,
funding, and programming with a view to strengthening and positioning Btv to realise its full
potential in contributing to national development in Botswana.