Media assets

Television: NBC1, NBC2, NBC3, NBC4, NBC5

Radio: Kati FM, Kaisames FM, Funkhaus FM, Nwanyi FM, Wato FM, Hartklop FM, Omurari FM, Tys FM, National FM

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

NBC is a statutory body established through the Namibian Broadcasting Act (Act No. 9 of 1991), which defines it as a juristic person. The corporation is overseen by a Board of Directors, appointed by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) for five-year terms. The Board appoints the Director General (DG), who also sits on the Board as a non-voting member.

The DG holds executive authority over all operations and staff, acting under directives issued by the Board. While this governance structure provides for a semblance of managerial autonomy, in practice the broadcaster’s operations remain closely tethered to the ministry’s strategic direction.

Source of funding and budget

NBC derives the lion’s share of its budget from annual government subsidies disbursed via the MICT. Additional revenue streams include advertising, airtime sales, annual television licence fees, and transmitter rental fees. Over the years, state support has fluctuated:

Of the 2023/2024 allocation, NAD 310 million was earmarked for operational costs, while the remainder supported rural infrastructure upgrades and studio modernization.

As of mid-2025, no new subsidy has been announced for the 2024/2025 financial year, though budget planning documents suggest NBC will remain a top recipient of MICT funds. MICT officials continue to urge NBC to diversify its revenue base, citing the broadcaster’s long-standing overreliance on state support as unsustainable in the long term.

An internal review commissioned by the MICT is underway (as of June 2025) to assess NBC’s cost-efficiency and governance model, with recommendations expected later in the year.

Editorial independence

While NBC’s leadership frequently asserts its editorial independence, its programming has long been criticized for tilting heavily in favor of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party. In recent years, accusations of political meddling have gained traction, particularly during electoral cycles and debates on public policy.

In 2024 and early 2025, several opposition politicians and independent journalists claimed NBC had deliberately excluded dissenting voices from news programming. Some internal sources reportedly pointed to informal editorial directives from ministry officials—though these allegations remain unproven in court.

There is no specific statute that enshrines NBC’s editorial independence, and its mandate under the Broadcasting Act focuses on public service obligations rather than safeguarding autonomy.

Although the Media Ombudsman of Namibia accepts complaints concerning all Namibian media—including NBC—it lacks enforcement powers and has no direct mandate to uphold editorial independence at public broadcasters. Its rulings are advisory and rely on voluntary compliance.

June 2025

Media assets

Publishing: New Era, Kundana

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

NEPC is wholly owned by the Government of Namibia. Its highest decision-making body, the Board of Directors, is appointed by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, subject to Cabinet endorsement. The Board is empowered to appoint the Chief Executive Officer, who oversees day-to-day operations.

In May 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) revealed plans to merge NEPC with the Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA) in a bid to rationalize operations and cut costs. The proposed consolidation—reportedly inspired by Zimbabwe’s state-owned ZimPapers model—would maintain the NEPC and NAMPA brand names under a single holding entity, tentatively named Namibia Multimedia Network, Namibia Content Corporation, or Content Conglomerate of Namibia.

Critics argue that rather than streamline operations, the merger could balloon the public wage bill, with executive roles and board positions potentially awarded to politically connected individuals from state firms such as NamPower, NamWater, and Telecom Namibia.

In April 2025, a parliamentary hearing scrutinized the proposed NEPC–NAMPA merger, with several MPs raising concerns about transparency and the lack of an independent feasibility study. In May 2025, New Era published a controversial op-ed defending the merger plans, sparking backlash from civil society organizations that view the move as a political consolidation of state media.

According to local media economists, the combined liabilities of NEPC and NAMPA are estimated at NAD 154 million, with operating costs running close to NAD 75 million annually.

Source of funding and budget

NEPC is heavily dependent on state subsidies, although it generates modest revenue from advertising and commercial services. Financial transparency remains limited due to the absence of publicly audited annual reports. However, the following allocations have been reported in official budgets:

This more recent spike in funding raised eyebrows, especially given the publisher’s ongoing financial difficulties. Despite the state’s commitment to support NEPC’s survival, advertising revenue remains insufficient to cover operating costs, and financial sustainability continues to hang in the balance.

The corporation is accountable to Parliament through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.

Editorial independence

NEPC’s flagship title, New Era, has frequently been described as a government-aligned publication, often criticized for parroting official narratives while offering limited space to critical voices. Independent media monitors and academic studies have flagged New Era as a vehicle for state-sponsored messaging, particularly during election periods or moments of political sensitivity.

There is no statute in Namibia guaranteeing the editorial independence of NEPC or its publications. Editors and senior newsroom staff are political appointees or civil service secondees, and editorial lines are often aligned with government policy directives.

Namibia’s Media Ombudsman accepts complaints from the public about all media outlets, including NEPC, and may recommend corrective measures. However, the Ombudsman’s role is advisory and does not guarantee protection from government influence.

June 2025

Media assets

News agency: NAMPA

State Media Matrix Typology:

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

NAMPA was established as a juristic person through Act No. 3 of 1992 by the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia. It is wholly owned by the Namibian state and falls under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT).

Its highest governing body is the Board of Directors, appointed by the Minister of Information. The Board is responsible for selecting the agency’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who oversees NAMPA’s operations. Despite formal independence under law, the agency’s governance structure reflects tight political oversight.

In May 2024, it was publicly revealed that the MICT intends to merge NAMPA with the New Era Publications Corporation (NEPC). The proposed consolidation aims to cut costs and streamline state media operations, potentially under a new umbrella organization (e.g. Namibia Multimedia Network or Content Conglomerate of Namibia). As of June 2025, the merger remains in limbo, with no timeline disclosed and parliamentary scrutiny delaying formal implementation.

Observers have raised concerns that the merged entity may increase bureaucratic costs and entrench political control over public information flows, rather than improve efficiency.

Source of funding and budget

NAMPA is primarily reliant on annual state subsidies, supplemented by modest income from subscriptions and content licensing. Financial reporting has been sporadic, with the last published reports dating back to 2014–2015, when: In more recent years:

Estimates indicate that state subsidies make up roughly 75–80% of NAMPA’s annual revenue. Without consistent public financial disclosures, NAMPA’s full financial picture remains opaque. Calls from civil society for audited annual reports and greater budget accountability have grown louder in 2025.

Editorial independence

While NAMPA officially claims to uphold editorial integrity—emphasizing its readiness to publish criticism of government when warranted—its credibility as an independent journalistic entity is frequently called into question. The Editors’ Forum of Namibia has publicly challenged claims of independence, citing institutional editorial bias and a lack of transparency in sourcing and story selection.

In early 2025, the Media Ombudsman of Namibia cited NAMPA in a series of complaints involving censorship and biased reporting, particularly related to political coverage and suppression of opposition viewpoints. These interventions remain advisory and lack legal force.

In March 2025, several journalists at NAMPA issued anonymous statements to watchdog groups alleging increased editorial pressure from MICT officials during the pre-budget period.

NAMPA does maintain an internal editorial policy document, but this guide is not legally binding and falls short of statutory protection for editorial independence.

No legislation currently exists that guarantees NAMPA’s autonomy from political interference. Editors and newsroom staff are effectively subordinate to government-appointed management.

June 2025