Namibia scored an overall rating of 2.7 out of a maximum of five for the 42 indicators measured in the four sectors: freedom of expression; media diversity, independence and sustainability; broadcasting regulation and independence of the national broadcaster; and professional standards. Not surprisingly, the lowest score was in the broadcasting regulation and independence sector where scores of less than two were awarded for six of the 12 indicators. The freedom of expression sector received the highest average score of 3.2. Other countries which participated in the initial phase were Kenya, which scored 2.7, Swaziland (2) and Botswana and Zambia (both 2). Digging deeper Good investigative journalism by Insight magazine resulted in the uncovering of two multimillion investment scams, which resulted in the disappearance of N$30 million and N$100 million in public money. The highly questionable deals in the Avid and Great Triangle investments dominated media coverage for several months. The role in the Avid investment of Paulus Kapia, former Swapo Party Youth League Secretary and newly promoted Deputy Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, led to him being doubly fired. Insight, a monthly current affairs magazine, continued to publish good investigative stories and has gained a solid reputation for its hard-hitting coverage of politics, business and the economy. Stagnation The media landscape in Namibia remained stagnant since the launch in 2004 of two new print titles, Insight and Space, a monthly leisure and lifestyle magazine. There was also no increase in the number of radio stations as a result of the non-availability of frequencies. Although this has been the situation for the past few years, the Namibia Communications Commission has been unable to resolve the issue. Heading for a fall The need to transform the state broadcaster, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), into a public service broadcaster was highlighted by several incidents. Hamstrung by a new board of party faithfuls without any experience in the media field, the NBC continued its downward slide in terms of programming quality. Staff morale remained low and several senior employees left the broadcaster. NBC Director General Gerry Munyama went on record in April saying the NBC was in such dire financial straits that it could no longer carry out its mandate effectively. Despite this sorry state of affairs, MPs praised the NBC for its good work at an induction meeting for parliamentarians! The very same Munyama was suspended and charged with fraud and forgery seven months later. The NBC chief allegedly diverted N$346 000 in corporation funds for his personal use. A senior NBC employee was suspended shortly afterwards for awarding a tender of N$1 million contrary to procedures. Unresolved business The long-awaited Communications Bill, initiated in 2003, was still pending at the end of 2005. So This Is Democracy? 2005 -90- Media Institute of Southern Africa