Namibia concludes consultations to finalize the Community Media Policy Framework

Community media is widely recognized as media that is created, owned, and managed by the community it serves, aimed at amplifying diverse voices and perspectives that are often under-represented in mainstream media. Typically operated by non-profit organizations on a voluntary basis, community media plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting local culture through the active involvement of community members.

Today, the community media landscape in Namibia is characterized by the presence of seventeen (17) community radios. In terms of print media, there are only two community publications and no community television broadcast stations, which can be attributed to the capital-intensive cost of establishing and successfully running such an enterprise on a community scale.

The liberalization of the broadcasting sector since 1990, along with Namibia's commitment to press freedom, has prompted a growing interest in the establishment of community media across the country. As a result, it is essential that their programming be guided by a Community Media Policy Framework that provides policy directives on how they should operate within the confines of the legal frameworks that are in place. This framework should safeguard democratic participation, uphold freedom of expression, amplify marginalized voices, promote cultural diversity, ensure access to information, foster socioeconomic development, maintain media pluralism, and advance social inclusion and empowerment.

It is against this background that the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) with the support of UNESCO finalized the draft Community Media Policy Framework, initially drafted in 2021 and re-reviewed in 2023. The Framework underwent technical review, resulting in valuable feedback and recommendations for the 2024 review and update process.

To see this process through, MICT and UNESCO initiated two stakeholder consultation workshops. The first meeting was held on 14 - 15 August 2024, with the participation of thirty-two (32) representatives from community media organizations. This collaborative initiative reviewed the current state of community media across Namibia and addressed new and emerging concerns and opportunities. The discussions were further enriched by presentations from key stakeholders (see below) who hold significant positions within the media ecosystem. These presentations facilitated a deeper understanding among participants about the interconnected roles of these organizations in supporting community media.

Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)

CRAN provided insights into their responsibilities regarding issuing licenses to community media outlets. They discussed regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, payments, and complaint handling procedures that govern broadcasting and communication, emphasising compliance with the legal standards to foster a sustainable environment for community media.

Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie

The DW Akademie emphasised its multifaceted approach to supporting community media, encompassing training and capacity-building initiatives that are designed to improve the operational efficiency of community media in producing high-quality journalism that benefits their local communities.

Namibia Community Broadcasters Network (NCBN)

The NCBN serves as a network for community radio stations and broadcasters across the country, facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building among its members. The NCBN aims to empower local communities by providing them with a platform to express their voices, share information, and address local issues through radio broadcasting.

Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA)

NAMPA presented its role as a provider of verifiable information to media outlets across the country. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring that news and information disseminated through various channels are accurate and reliable, which is crucial for maintaining public trust in media sources.

Namibia Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM)

NASCAM highlighted its role as the organization responsible for collecting royalties for musicians and composers in Namibia. Their presentation underscored the importance of protecting intellectual property rights within the music industry, which directly impacts community media that often feature local artists' work but currently do not pay royalties.

Participants also acknowledged the importance of collaboration among these stakeholders to enhance content quality, safeguard creators' rights, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The second workshop was held from 1 - 4 September 2024. The primary objective of this validation workshop was to gather consensus for the finalization of the Community Media Policy Framework. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback and contribute to building a collective agreement on the framework.

These engagements led to the successful finalization of the Community Media Policy Framework, which is now scheduled for submission to the National Planning Commission (NPC). Following this submission, it will be presented to Namibia's Cabinet for formal endorsement, ensuring that the Framework is not only reflective of community needs but also aligned with national objectives.