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afrol News, 15 June - The Botswana government is being sued over its decision to ban government advertising from two private newspapers critical of its policies, one of the newspapers reported on Tuesday, 12 June 2001. According to reports by the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), "The Guardian" and the "Midweek Sun" had lodged an urgent application in the High Court to have the bans overturned. IRIN quotes the "Midweek Sun" as saying that the case is to be heard today (Thursday, 14 June 2001) in the town of Lobatse, 70 km north of the capital Gaborone. The two papers have been overtly critical of the government, especially President Festus Mogae and Vice-President Ian Khama. Last month "The Guardian" was leaked an anonymous letter that instructed government departments and allied private companies not to advertise in the two papers. No government minister has taken responsibility for issuing the instruction. However, Molosiwa Selepeng, the permanent secretary to Mogae, confirmed it had been put into effect, but said it was for economic considerations.
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