SECTOR 2 2.10 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content. Cabinet’s ban on government advertising in The Namibian – imposed in 2000 - remains in force. There are senior members of the ruling Swapo party who do not agree with the ban, but seem to forget that they were members of the same Cabinet that imposed the ban in the first place. “They are all telling us how sorry they are but are doing nothing about it (lifting the ban).” Some panellists felt this was indicative of “internal struggles” within the ruling party. 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: 1.8; 2007: 1.3; 2009: 2.0) 2.11 The advertising market is large enough to support a diversity of media outlets. The advertising market tends to be controlled by a few people, and several new magazines have been forced to close because they do not generate enough advertising. Other factors such as high printing costs and the competition posed by foreign publications - particularly those published in South Africa - also contributed to the closures. “Advertising tends to be elitist. It does not cater for small business people.” There would be more media diversity if more money is spent on advertising. The lack of money causes the concentration of advertising among bigger businesses. Furthermore, advertising depends a lot on personal relationships. “Advertisers follow the sales people, not the media.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011 39