SECTOR 1 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: 1.8 (2005: 2.4; 2007: 1.8; 2009: 1.9) 1.9 Websites and blogs are not required to register with or obtain permission from state authorities. There are no laws or restrictions on websites and blogs. “Anyone can start one.” For now, the government does not see the Internet as a threat, some panellists suggested. “But perhaps it is because they don’t understand the technology. When you visit their own web sites you see that they don’t understand the power of the technology, as they don’t make use of this power themselves.” This could be because few people have access to Internet in Namibia, and even those who use it do so more for social purposes than for politics. Having said this, it is important to note that government included the “spy clause” in the Communications Act (see Indicator 1.1). This allows for the interception of electronic communication (including communication via the Internet), and suggests the government is aware of the potential that this technology has. There are 1.2 million cell phone users in Namibia, and panellists felt that once more people can use their cell phones to access the Internet, government may become more sensitive to this platform as a medium of expression. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011 21