SECTOR 1 1.4 The government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and freedom of the media The Namibian government is party to several regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Amongst others, these include the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport (signed and ratified in 2001), the Windhoek Declaration and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR – signed and ratified in 1992). Article 9 of the African Charter, which deals with freedom of expression, states that: Every individual shall have the right to receive information. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinion within the law. Importantly, Article 144 of Namibia’s Constitution states that: Unless otherwise provided by this Constitution or Act of Parliament, the general rules of public international law and international agreements binding upon Namibia under this Constitution shall form part of the law of Namibia. As such, the laws ratified are part of Namibia’s laws, although the country has not fully ensured that local laws match the letter and spirit of these signed protocols. As a signatory to the ACHPR, the Namibian government is also tasked with implementing the African Union Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression. These principles, amongst other things, guarantee freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, stating that: Everyone shall have an equal opportunity to exercise the right to freedom of expression and to access information without discrimination. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: Score of previous years: 13 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2018 ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3.3 2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 2.1, 2011: 2.6; 2015: 2.5 ✓