Namibia quality of the picture “is still not up to standard”. SCORES: Individual scores: 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 4, 2, 2, 3 Average score: 2.4 (2005 = 2.4) 3.12 The public broadcaster offers as much diverse and creative local content as economically achievable. ANALYSIS: Production of own programmes is still a problem because it is prohibitively expensive. While there is more local news and current affairs content than imported programming during peak viewing times, there are no local soap operas, dramas or comedies on air. The fact that more local artists and musicians are receiving coverage on NBC was regarded as a positive development. Another positive trend is that there are a number of independent companies that produce documentaries for the NBC. It was noted, though, that independent producers are sometimes asked to pay the NBC for their programming or films to be broadcast, while in fact just the opposite should be happening: the NBC should be paying the local producers and thereby promote the local film and production industry. Both radio and television charge for covering events, so the public can in effect “buy the NBC”. “If the show ‘Tutaleni’, for example, is invited to cover a function, you must pay them … For sports coverage, The Namibian paid the NBC N$35 000 to cover the newspaper’s annual soccer tournament.” African Media Barometer - Namibia 2007 39