SECTOR 3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body adequately protected by law against interference whose board is appointed – in an open way – involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) was established by the Communications Act of 2009 and in theory it is supposed to be an independent body. In practice, however, it is not. The CRAN board is appointed by the Minister of the ICT on the advice of the State Owned Enterprise Council, which is a committee of Cabinet. This is in accordance with the State Owned Enterprises Act. The minister develops the policies that guide CRAN. According to the law, when viewed collectively, board members are supposed to represent a broad cross-section of society, and should have suitable qualifications and experience. The commission reports to Minister, and is sustained through the license fees it levies on communication service providers. The current CRAN board is made up of the following: Lazarus Jacobs (Chairperson), who has strong ties with the ruling party and is a co-owner of the Windhoek Observer; Hilma Hitula (Deputy Chair) who is a lawyer and businesswoman; Kauna Mufeti, a computer scientist and lecturer at the University of Namibia; Tylvas Shilongo, general manager of the National Intelligence Service, who he represents on the board; and Edwin Beukus, an accountant. The NBC is not regulated by CRAN, until such time as the information minister decides otherwise. 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: 1.4 (2005: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2009: 1.2) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2011 43