Namibia AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2007 REPORT Sector 1: 1.1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, are effectively protected and promoted. Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is guaranteed in the constitution and protected by other pieces of legislation. ANALYSIS: Freedom of expression is protected and guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution, but there are no other pieces of legislation, such as a Freedom of Information Act, to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Article 21 of the Constitution states: “All persons shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media.” Article 22 of the Constitution states: “Whenever or wherever in terms of this Constitution the limitation of any fundamental rights or freedoms contemplated by this Chapter is authorised, any law providing for such limitation shall: (a) be of general application, shall not negate the essential content thereof, and shall not be aimed at a particular individual; (b) specify the ascertainable extent of such limitation and identify the Article or Articles hereof on which authority to enact such limitation is claimed to rest.” Article 144 of the constitution acknowledges international conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with its Article 19 guaranteeing freedom of opinion and expression. It is worth noting that a “relatively good draft media policy”, writAfrican Media Barometer - Namibia 2007 3