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: 2.4 (2005 = 2.8; 2007 = 3.3) 3.12 Community broadcasting enjoys special promotion given its potential to broaden access by communities to the airwaves. Analysis: Community radio and television stations do not receive any backing from the state, apart from being charged lower licence fees than commercial stations. Community radio licenses cost N$1,800, annually, for a rurally based station and N$3,600 for an urban-based station. The annual fee for a commercial radio station license is N$27,500. Community television stations have to pay N$8,400, while a commercial TV station license costs N$80,000.20 Government could, however, “do much more” to encourage community radio in particular, especially in rural areas where the frequencies are plentiful: “Government talks about rural development and then expects community radio in rural areas to go it alone when they should be assisting. A baby can only grow if you feed it.” Some panellists felt that because the NBC had its different language radio broadcasts, targeting specific ethnic groups in pockets around the country, perhaps the government does not see it as a priority to help establish community stations. In many ways, these language services do operate as “community radio stations” as much of the information on air comes from the communities themselves. However, true community “...A baby can only radio stations focus on a specific target area and can be more proactive in getting relevant information across grow if you feed it.” than the language services. There have been complaints 20 Licence pricing information supplied by Johan Schutte, Senior Control Officer at the NCC. Telephonic interview conducted on May 26, 2009 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NAMIBIA 2009 55