SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the state broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. Analysis: Broadcasting legislation in Namibia provides for public, commercial and community broadcasting. The broadcasting regulator, the Namibian Communications Commission (NCC), has in the past granted licences to applicants from the commercial and community sectors able to prove that they had the necessary financial means and the skills to operate a radio or television station. The large number of licensed radio stations in particular indicates that the NCC is indeed attempting to provide a conducive environment for these broadcasters. Currently, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) does not fall within the ambit of the regulator, “although it is the most controversial broadcaster and doing the most important broadcasting work in the country”. The draft Communications Bill, which is expected to be passed during 2009, contains the clause 56. (1), which states that: “This chapter [on broadcasting services] shall apply to the NBC or its successor-in-title in respect of broadcasting activities carried out by that Corporation or its successor-in-title, but only if so determined by the Minister following a public consultation.” Thus, at some point in future the Minister may decide at his or her own discretion to place, or not to place, the NBC under the regulator, which will be called the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia. The NCC has made some choices in terms of allocating radio frequencies that are seemingly not in the interest of local broadcasters. In 2001, the regulator made available the FM frequency 107.9 to Radio France Internationale. This could be explained by the “mutually beneficial” agreement between RFI and the NBC.17 RFI has supplied millions of dollars worth of broadcasting equipment in the past 17 http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/namibian-broadcasting-corporation-renews-contract-with-rfi 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2009