Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Botswana National Broadcasting Board

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Formed
  
2000

Headquarters
  
Gaborone

Jurisdiction
  
Government of Botswana

Minister responsible
  
Hon. Mrs. P. Venson-Moitoi

Agency executive
  
Dr. M. Mpotokwane, Chairman

Parent agency
  
Botswana Telecommunications Authority

The Botswana National Broadcasting Board (NBB) was set up by the Broadcasting Act, 1998 (No. 6 of 1999). The Board consists of eleven members who were appointed in August 2000. Section 10 of the Act, includes Board functions such as the issuing of broadcasting licences and the control and supervision of broadcasting activities, including the relaying of radio and television programmes from places in and out of Botswana to places in and outside Botswana.

Contents

Roles (Summary)

  • Act as general advisor to National Broadcasting Board (NBB)
  • Act as a support link between Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA) and NBB
  • Recommend code of conduct
  • Monitor global broadcast developments
  • Broadcast representation nationally, regionally and internationally

    • Licensing

    The NBB issues licences on the following types of broadcasting services in Botswana.

  • Public broadcasting
  • Private broadcasting and
  • Community broadcasting

    • Highlights and Controversies

  • 2007: National Broadcasting Board v Multichoice Botswana. The Board issued a broadcasting licence to Multichoice in 2005, and subsequently, in 2007, made an order setting aside the decision to issue the licence. The Court of Appeal decided that

    • the NBB had acted ultra vires its powers in licensing Multichoice Botswana as a broadcaster.

  • 2008 - Digital Migration Strategy: The NBB highlighted the need for the development of the digital migration strategy to the Minister at a meeting in December 2007. The BTA is expected to play a significant role in this task

    • References

    Botswana National Broadcasting Board Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA