Media defend self-regulationCran is accepting public opinion on its new plan to control broadcasters. Cran calls for submissions on broadcasting rules The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) says self-regulating efforts by the local media fall short of what is required under the country’s Communications Act, hence the need for its proposed new code of conduct for broadcasters.The communications regulator hosted its second public consultation meeting on the new regulations effecting broadcast service licensees on Monday.
The code will be applicable to all commercial and community television and radio broadcasters, as well as the public broadcaster, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). Under the regulations Cran will ensure that broadcast content is in the public interest, that local content is available and used.
It will also lay down rules to ensure that news and current affairs content is “fair, objective and impartial”.
Broadcasters are further prescribed special duties during national, regional and local election campaigns. The regulations also deal with the airing of hate speech and issues related to freedom of expression, protection of privacy and discrimination.
“The protection of children is highlighted in the broadcasting code with the aim that children are not exposed to harmful broadcast content and are not harmed physically or morally, by restricting violence, sexual portrayal and bad language,” the regulator said in a statement issued this week.
“The code therefore makes provision for warnings to precede programmes which are unsuitable for children and rate programmes accordingly,” it said.
Media practitioners who gave input at the hearing predominantly opposed the code.
Representatives of the Namibia Editor’s Forum, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) and Media Ombudsman Clement Daniels called on the regulator to support media self-regulation as the preferred position.
Cran continues to accept written comments on the proposed broadcasting code. The deadline for submissions is 20 September.
“The finalised broadcasting code is due to be published in due course after the Authority has fully considered all written and oral submissions,” Cran stated.
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