SECTOR 2 Aside from these two broadcasters, beyond basic news programmes which are often drawn from the daily newspapers, much remains to be done by other private broadcasters in providing public interest programming. 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: ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ 2.3 2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: n/a; 2011: n/a; 2015: 1.5 2.11 The country has a coherent ICT policy and/or the government implements promotional measures, which aim to meet the information needs of all citizens; including marginalised communities ‘There are so many nice laws in Namibia. The problem is implementation.’ Namibia’s ICT Policy of 2009 is viewed as highly comprehensive and engaging of various stakeholders with a strong focus on national coverage and infrastructure. The policy is supported by (or supports) other pieces of legislation related to ICTs, including Vision 2030, the 2010 Government e-governance project under the Office of the Prime Minister, the 2009 Communications Act, the Harambee Prosperity Plan of 2016 and the MICT’s Strategic Plan for 2017-2020. One panellist noted that, in fact, the Harambee Prosperity Plan contains an update on the ICT policy and that the stated target has actually been met. While the ICT policy is highly comprehensive, there are areas in which it is lacking in terms of ensuring that the ICT needs of the marginalised are also met. One panellist noted that, ‘Most national information is communicated in English and the majority of the marginalised are not educated to read and understand English. Therefore, the ICT policy is not meeting all the needs.’ Another added that ‘access for the disabled remains problematic. On TV programmes, for example, they’ll say “call the number on the screen”, thereby leaving out blind audiences. Or they might not read certain indicators that are highlighted on the screen, as they simply assume that everyone can see them’. Various efforts were noted by the panel as being undertaken to increase telecommunications and broadcasting coverage. 34 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2018