Media in Namibia

Namibia's media system combines private print and online outlets, broadcasting services, the public broadcaster, community media, international streaming platforms and global social-media services. The Namibia Press Agency, established under the Namibia Press Agency Act 3/1992, supplies national news alongside private media. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is involved in media administration, while the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) regulates communications and broadcasting services. The MICT Media Card supports practicing journalists, freelancers and interns working with a registered media house. Applicants use the relevant form online or apply through an MICT Regional Office. An intern card covers the internship period, and foreign media practitioners require the relevant arrangement when their stay exceeds three weeks. Namibia's media framework does not establish a general state professional licence for journalism. Print, broadcast and online outlets can also follow the Media Code of Ethics and Conduct. Complaints may go to the Media Ombudsman, whose voluntary industry process can result in an adjudication and publication or broadcast of the decision; it does not replace a court. CRAN separates broadcasting into commercial broadcasting, community broadcasting, public broadcasting, signal distribution and multiplex services. A company applying for a broadcasting service licence may also need a radio-frequency spectrum licence. The application requires complete documents and a fee, followed by publication in the Government Gazette, a 14-day public-comment period, a 14-day applicant response period and a CRAN decision. The published application fee is N$10,000 for commercial radio or television and N$500 for community radio, although fees can change. Commercial applicants must meet requirements including at least 51% Namibian ownership, a business and operational plan, a five-year financial plan, a technical description, six months of bank statements and certified registration documents and identification. The Broadcasting Code 2018, amended in 2025, and CRAN complaint and dispute procedures also affect broadcasting services. The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) is the public broadcaster established under the Broadcasting Act 9/1991. It operates NBC1, NBC2, NBC3 and several radio services with local and multilingual programming. NBC is supervised by MICT and accountable to Parliament, and it receives state funding as well as income from airtime and programme sales, television licences and transmitter rental. NBC reports National FM coverage of about 98% and provides participatory formats such as phone-ins, People’s Parliament and Sê jou sê. A household or individual television licence costs N$204 per year. The licence is a legal obligation, and non-payment can lead to prosecution and may result in a fine, imprisonment, television-set confiscation, decoder switching-off or blacklisting. Streaming in Namibia uses broadcaster websites, NBC+, live streams, satellite and pay-TV services, and international over-the-top (OTT) platforms delivered through the internet. No separate Namibian OTT regulator or general national streaming platform has been established in the available framework. Access depends on a suitable device, data or broadband, pay-TV access, the provider's pricing, territorial rights and possible geoblocking. CRAN regulates networks and broadcasting, but that does not automatically place every OTT content platform under broadcasting regulation. Social media is widely used through global platforms and accounts operated by Namibian media outlets and institutions. The MICT Social Media Use Policy primarily concerns government use. General rights and duties arise from the Constitution, copyright law, child-protection rules and each platform's terms. During elections, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Code of Conduct applies specific restrictions, including prohibitions on false, defamatory or inflammatory allegations and hate speech through social media. From 24 hours before polling day until polling closes, election advertising or statements covered by the code are not permitted; these rules do not govern all ordinary social-media use. Article 21(1)(a) of the Constitution protects freedom of speech and expression, including freedom of the press and other media. The Access to Information Act 8/2022 provides access to information held by public entities, supports presumed disclosure and proactive publication, and establishes an Information Commissioner. A requester applies to the information holder. Access should generally be provided without delay and without a fee, although reasonable reproduction, translation or transcription costs may apply. Internal review, appeal and judicial review are available. Access to information from a private entity is narrower and depends on a contribution to protecting or exercising a fundamental right. The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act 6/1994, as amended by the BIPA Act 8/2016, protects literary works, films, sound recordings and broadcasts. Reproducing, rebroadcasting, streaming or using clips can therefore require permission or a licence, depending on the material and the intended use. The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) administers intellectual-property matters. Children receive additional protection. The Child Care and Protection Act 3/2015 prohibits publishing information or an image that reveals a child's identity in child-court proceedings unless the Children's Commissioner gives permission. A breach can carry a maximum fine of N$100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. CRAN's Child Online Protection work addresses inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online predators and exploitation through awareness for children, parents and educators. LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia provides a local support alternative. Media access remains unequal. The 2023 Namibia Statistics Agency census recorded, among people aged three and older, internet browsing at 28.3%, social-media use at 29.7%, radio use at 44.8%, television use at 35.7%, print-media use at 19.5% and SMS use at 48.9%. Urban figures were higher for internet browsing at 43.4%, social media at 44.3%, television at 55.3% and print media at 30.5%; rural figures were 12.9%, 14.8%, 15.8% and 8.3% respectively. Radio reached 48.7% in urban areas and 40.8% in rural areas, making radio and community broadcasting particularly relevant where internet access, devices or data are limited. Participation can occur through CRAN licensing and public comments, community broadcasting, NBC phone-in programmes, MICT Regional Offices offering rural information and computer services, and ECN media accreditation during elections. The ECN's 2024 election report recorded 1,856 accredited media persons from 16 local media houses, three international media houses and three freelance journalists. Election accreditation is event-specific and does not create a general right to access every media or election facility.