SECTOR 3

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:			

2.0 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a)

3.7 The state/public broadcaster is adequately funded
in a manner that protects it from arbitrary interference
through its budget and from commercial pressure.
Analysis:
The NBC receives funding from a variety of sources, including the main source, a
state subsidy; annual television licenses of about N$200 per TV set; the rental of
transmitters to private radio stations; and airtime sold in the form of advertising
and sponsorships.
Records from the NBC show that for the 2006-2007 financial year, the broadcaster
received N$62,5 million from the state, while it generated N$20.2 million in
advertising, N$26.1 million in license fees and N$3.4 million through the rental
of transmitters.18 Thus, the state subsidy comprised 56 per cent of revenue, while
‘own income’ made up the remaining 44 per cent. In 2009, the state subsidy, in
terms of the station’s operational budget, increased from N$60 million in 2008 to
N$80 million.
Some panellists said that the NBC is not adequately funded. “In fact, it is totally
under-funded and remains saddled with a historical debt in unpaid Pay As You
Earn (PAYE) tax deductions of more than N$200 million. Consequently, the
NBC battles to fulfil its mandate as there is a shortage of equipment and vehicles,
for example. The NBC may not be covering rural areas sufficiently because of a
18 Financial information made available to Sarah Taylor by NBC Chief Financial Officer Alec Kabaira in
January 2009

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2009

49

Select target paragraph3