SECTOR 2 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities. There are no legal restrictions on citizens’ access to domestic or international media sources. 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: 4.3 (2005: 4.6; 2007: 3.7; 2009: 3.8; 2011: 4.9) 2.3 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference. The Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), the daily newspaper New Era, and the weekly Southern Times are owned and operated by the government, while the Southern Times is a joint venture with the Zimbabwean government. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology appoints the boards of these entities, who, in turn, appoint the Chief Operating Officer’s (CEO) and the editors. Accordingly the structure leaves room for editorial interference. In the past New Era had been criticised several times and threatened with funding cuts by government, which complained about a degree of critical reporting. Aside from this, however, interference has taken a rather subtle form. One panellist described it by saying, “You won’t be told you cannot write this or that, but your story might just not make it into the paper”. And further that it also happens that suddenly “you have a minister, a Chinese or another state visitor in the office to visit during meetings”. These kinds of visits have been publicised in the newspaper, but their effects on the editorial independence of the paper are not documented. 32 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2015