SECTOR 3

3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and
is implemented that provides for a conducive
environment for public, commercial and
community broadcasting
The Communications Act of 2009, through the establishment of the regulator,
makes provision for the three tiers of public, commercial and community
broadcasting.
Section 84 (2) of the Act states that:
When different categories of broadcasting licences are determined, the
following distinguishing characteristics of the services must be taken
into account […] (d) Whether the services concerned are community,
commercial or public broadcasting services.
Section 85 (8) (h) of the Act also highlights community broadcasting as a priority
area for licensing, ‘However, the question is around implementation and whether
CRAN actually promotes community broadcasting.’
Importantly, although the Communications Act provides for the three-tiers, the
regulation of the state broadcaster does not fall under the scope of CRAN. In
fact, Section 93 of the Communications Act clearly states that:
Until a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, this
Chapter does not apply to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation
established by Section 2 of the Namibian Broadcasting Act, 1991 (Act
No. 9 of 1991), or in respect of the broadcasting activities carried on by
that Corporation.
Almost ten years after the enactment of the Communications Act, this date is
yet to be determined.
As noted in Indicator 2.1, there are several examples of radio stations from each
of the three tiers and at least one example of a TV station under each tier.

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:

38

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2018

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3.3
2005: 1.8; 2007: 2.7; 2009: 2.9; 2011: 3.6; 2015: 2.7

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