Namibian newspaper’s SMS page continue to ask for the expansion of the Corporation’s vernacular services or for more areas to be connected to the signal. NBC’s former Director General, Jerry Munyama, still faces a court case for alleged fraud and financial mismanagement. In 2007, NBC staff staged a demonstration over salary increments. The NBC has not paid licence fees to the Namibia Communications Commission for the last two years, with arrears amounting to more than N$ 1, 5 million. The staff members are of the opinion that the Corporation’s priorities are skewed and that the limited funds are squandered. Self-censoring continues it its programme broadcasts. However, it is noted with surprise that NBC has ben giving adequate overage to the newly-established political party and the NSHR over the last year. This has not been well received within the ruling party. Diversity Compounding the lack of choice for listeners and viewers is the fact that community media initiatives continue to struggle to get off the ground, mainly due to a lack of resources (human and technical) as well as a shortage of frequencies. On top of this, media diversity took a pounding in 2007. Democratic Media Holdings, already owning the Afrikaans-language daily Republikein and German-language daily Allegmeine Zeitung, as well as a near monopoly of newspaper printing with its Newsprint division, acquired Radio 99 and entertainment website namlish.com. South African media giant Media24 also acquired a 50 per cent stake in DMH early in the year. Another South African company, Telkom Media, the newly established media wing of telecommunications company Telkom, acquired a 49 per cent stake in Namibia’s only independent television station, One Africa Television. However, some positive developments are seen. One Africa Television started broadcasting its own news bulletins in 2007. The station plans to air more local content despite staff and equipment challenges. One new commercial radio station - Fresh fm - started broadcasting in the Windhoek area in 2007. A new satellite television operator, British-based GTV, received a licence and started broadcasting in the second half of the year. The weekly tabloid Namibian Sun, hit the stands in 2007. It is published by the DMH/Media24. A few other new publications including youth magazine Shambuka, lifestyle magazine Gems and business periodicals also come into circulation during the year. However, some only appeared for a few editions. Developments One of the more significant developments in the media sector in 2007 was the launch of the Namibian Editors Forum, which has already found its voice on media and social issues. With regard to activism, MISA Namibia continued to lead the line and tried to bring together media practitioners around specific issues by organising monthly informal discussions, reviving the Press Club, and holding more formal meetings. Unfortunately, attendance remained poor, further strengthening the perception that media practitioners in general are disinterested in issues that concern their profession. Cohesion and So This Is Democracy? 2007 -67- Media Institute of Southern Africa