INFORMATION DIVISION

The Information Division of the department is broadly composed of the Production Section and the Botswana Press Agency (BOPA)

PRODUCTION SECTION

The Production Section is also called the Publications Section since it is responsible for all the publications produced by the department. This includes Botswana's only Daily, the Daily News - also published on the Internet - and Kutlwano Magazine.

There is also a publicity unit, which publishes a number of regular and adhoc books and other documents in promotion of the department and government. Indeed, one of the functions of the department as laid down in a policy directive in 1969 is " to publicise Botswana…" Some of its productions include postcards, posters, handbooks, tourist guides and directories. Publicity also produces advertisements to be placed in publications worldwide towards the promotion of the department and the country. The unit is also in-charge of the design and layout of the Daily News and Kutlwano.

Apart from the three units already mentioned, the Production Section has a Photographic Unit. Although it is considered to be part of the section, the Photographic Unit does not publish on its own, but provide photographs for other units/sections of the department. On a regular basis, photographers work side by side with BOPA reporters to provide news coverage.

BOPA

The national press agency, BOPA, was established in 1981 to collect and disseminate news of and about Botswana, especially for radio and the print press. It is also a clearinghouse as well as a source of origin of stories for clients such as the Daily News, Kutlwano, Radio Botswana and even the private media. It operates closely with the Photographic Unit so that news articles are backed by photographs.

The section is also charged with the responsibility to provide information to the general press about the activities of government ministries, and parastatal organizations, thus undertaking a promotional role on behalf of government by providing information, which might not otherwise be easily available. BOPA distributes official statements on behalf of government.

Whenever the need arises, it is BOPA that arranges press conferences at which senior government officials and visiting foreign dignitaries address journalists.