addition, NBC is trying to make all radio services available to all. A few years ago, listeners in Katima could only pick up the Lozi Service, now they have more choice. Four years ago Lozi, Setswana or Rukwangali services could not be received in Windhoek. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2, 3, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3 3.9 3.10 The public broadcaster offers diverse programming for all interests as well as balanced and fair information reflecting the full spectrum of diverse views and opinions. ANALYSIS: The NBC does make an effort to offer diverse programming, catering for women, for people with disabilities in terms of sign language interpreters, and trying to incorporate different interests. But because the quality of programming is mediocre the programmes do not really serve everybody’s interests. “The issue of mediocrity is important. The programmes may be diverse but if they are so boring that nobody watches or listens to them, what’s the point?” There is not much room for different perspectives and reluctance to involve people in discussions for example. Some individual journalists make the effort to get diverse views for their stories and programmes but sometimes their decisions are overturned by editors. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 2.4 3.11 The public broadcaster offers as much local content as economically achievable. ANALYSIS: NBC dedicates approximately 50 to 60% of its prime time in television to local content, including news which altogether make up about 2 hours per day in the different languages. Again, the quality of these programmes is questionable. “You can have as much local content as you wish but if it is all as dull as dishwater - what I call the talking heads – who is going to watch it?” Creativity is rare and technical quality poor. On radio, in all languages services 80 to 90% of the music played is foreign. Presenters argue that this is what the people request, but “as a public broadcaster, you should be setting the agenda and playing more local music than what people request, in order to create a demand, so to speak.” There seem to be differences between the various language services. Last year the Herero service, for example, took to the road and broadcast from the different areas where the Hereros live. This has not been done by any other station. SCORES: Individual scores: Average score: So This Is Democracy? 2005 3, 3, 1, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2 2.8 -237- Media Institute of Southern Africa