SECTOR 2 2.3 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference Print media published by the government include The Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), New Era and the Southern Times (co-owned with the government of Zimbabwe). Panellists noted that New Era ‘is not at all protected from undue interference and there is no law protecting it’. ‘It is government controlled and there is definitely political interference.’ ‘He who pays the piper plays the tune.’ It is believed that there is a high level of self-censorship amongst journalists and editors at New Era and one panellist pointed out that, ‘You’ll find they are very selective on what they report.’ Another noted that a few days before the AMB, the paper’s managing editor was writing articles for the paper. 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: ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1.8 2005: 1.8; 2007: 2.7; 2009: 2.3; 2011: 2.6; 2015: 2.0 2.4 Transparency of ownership of media houses in print/broadcasting is guaranteed by law and enforced Information on the ownership of registered companies can be obtained from the Registrar of Companies at the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development, in line with Namibia’s Companies Act of 2004. There are no laws that prevent politicians from owning media houses. The president asked all members of parliament to declare their assets, which would include their shareholding in different companies. Many of these declarations 26 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2018