The New Era Publications Corporation (NEPC) is a state-owned publishing house responsible for producing New Era, one of Namibia’s national daily newspapers, alongside other print publications. Founded in 1992 under the New Era Publications Corporation Act, NEPC serves as both a commercial publishing entity and an official government communication outlet. Its publications have long played a dual role—ostensibly serving the public interest while functioning as a platform for government messaging.
Media assets
Publishing: New Era, Kundana
State Media Matrix Typology
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:
| Fiscal Year | State Subsidy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–2020 | NAD 10 million (US$613,000) | Sharp decline from previous years |
| 2020–2021 | NAD 10 million (US$613,000) | Funding remained flat |
| 2022–2023 | NAD 27 million (US$1.6 million) | Marked increase amid merger talk |
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