SECTOR 1 resign after he received threats. “The journalist touched someone that those higher up felt was untouchable, and that makes people afraid.” Journalists’ fears of expressing themselves freely are not based on legislative recourse, but rather on their own fear. This fear is exacerbated by the enactment of the Communications Act which includes a clause that allows for the interception of all forms of communication. 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: 3.0 (2005: 3.3; 2007: 2.8; 2009: 2.4) 1.3 There are no laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secret or libel acts, or laws that unreasonably interfere with the responsibilities of media. Old laws from the apartheid era remain on the statute books and there are no signs of them being reformed. Restrictive laws such as the Official Secrets Act, the Key Points Act and the Criminal Procedures Act remain in force. There are few cases in which these restrictive laws have been applied, but the fact that they still exist presents the constant threat that they could be used against media practitioners. “My understanding is that the Law Reform and Development Commission hasn’t got round to reviewing them,” pointed out a panellist. However, another panellist felt journalists should remember they, too, have a responsibility towards the nation when it comes to protecting national security. Meanwhile, the legislation establishing the NBC and the New Era limit the independence of these state-owned media, particularly as their boards are government-appointed. 14 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011