SECTOR 2 2.11 The country has a coherent and comprehensive ICT policy framework and/or the government promotes and implements measures, which meet the information needs of the public, including underserved communities There is a great deal of law reform currently taking place in the ICT sector. However, the discussion mainly takes place at the government level and ignores other relevant actors. The existing ICT Policy Framework is not comprehensive and is currently being updated. It currently doesn’t even mention the aspect of mobile phones. There is also the Data Protection Act and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act. With regard to public access, there are still many places with no internet access or even access to ZNBC radio. In some border areas, people will even listen to Namibian radio stations for information. The Cyber Crimes Acts “were rushed”, and there were many aspects that should have been under discussion since 2006. 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: ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓ 2.5 2017 = 2.9 2.12 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content Although usually nothing is committed on paper that prevents government advertising, it is essentially done verbally. “There are no official directives because they are scared of such written directives.” 28 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2021