The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) is the national public broadcaster of Namibia, originally founded in 1979 as the South West African Broadcasting Corporation (SWABC). Since independence, it has transformed into a state-funded multi-platform media house with an extensive national reach. NBC operates nine radio stations and five television channels.
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
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:
| Fiscal Year | State Subsidy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019/2020 | NAD 140m (US$8.6m) | 43% of MICT budget |
| 2021/2022 | NAD 127m (US$8.6m) | Continued budget tightening |
| 2023/2024 | NAD 392m (US$20.66m) | Major boost—largest share of MICT budget |
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