NMT Media Foundation study calls for bold reform of Namibia’s media accountability framework
2025-06-25
The NMT Media Foundation today launched a new publication titled Media Accountability Mechanisms: A Namibian Case Study, a critical study that explores the status, performance, and future direction of self-regulation in Namibia’s media sector.
Authored by Dr. Taryn de Vega and commissioned by the NMT Media Foundation with support from the Commonwealth Foundation, the study provides an evidence-based assessment of Namibia’s media accountability structures, chiefly the Media Ombudsman’s Office and the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast and Online Media. It questions whether these voluntary, self-regulatory frameworks remain adequate in addressing the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital media landscape.
“This is not simply a technical or academic exercise,” said Zoé Titus, Executive Director of the NMT Media Foundation. “It is a call to renew and strengthen the social contract between the media and the public. At stake is the credibility, independence, and sustainability of journalism in Namibia.”
Key findings
• Namibia’s media self-regulation system, while historically respected, is showing signs of strain in the face of digital transformation, rising disinformation, and limited public engagement.
• The Media Ombudsman operates with no full-time staff, limited funding, and structural dependence on the Editors’ Forum of Namibia - raising concerns about independence and operational effectiveness.
• Namibia is the only country in the Southern African region whose media ombudsman operates outside a formal media council structure.
• The national Code of Ethics is outdated and ill-equipped to address online content, AI-generated media, or platform-specific accountability.
Recommendations for reform
The study outlines a clear path forward:
• Update and expand the national Code of Ethics to reflect digital realities
• Review the structural relationship between the Media Ombudsman and the Editors’ Forum of Namibia
• Secure independent, sustainable funding and staffing for the Ombudsman’s office
• Increase public awareness and engagement with self-regulatory mechanisms
• Promote co-regulatory participation from civil society and audiences
The study is being launched during a national conference titled Media, Elections and Institutional Reflections, co-hosted by the NMT Media Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Office of the Media Ombudsman.
“This briefing paper is a starting point for necessary reform. It invites media stakeholders, civil society, policymakers, and the public to engage in a national dialogue about the future of media accountability in Namibia,” said Dr. de Vega.
The publication is especially timely as Namibia prepares to operationalise its Access to Information Act, which will significantly reshape the country’s media and governance landscape.
Download full publication here:
Zoé Titus
Executive Director