SECTOR 1 1.4 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. Analysis: Print publications are expected to register with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. In practice, however, this is a formality and some community newspapers operate without registration. However, the Publications Act gives the Minister the power to reject or register printed matter. To date, no publications are known to have been rejected in this way, but such legislation could be used as a tool to suppress expression. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 4.4 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a)3 1.5 Country makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and the media. Analysis: Namibia is party to a number of international agreements, including the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 19 of the Declaration deals with the right to freedom of expression, stating that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold 3 The scores from the 2005 and 2007 reports are not applicable (n/a) in some instances, as new indicators have been added for the 2009 report, while other indicators have been amended considerably and can no longer be compared with those from previous years. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2009 15