ABSTRACT
Over the last three decades, self-regulation mechanisms as evidenced by press councils, appeals panels, and ombudspersons have become the raison d’être of transparency and accountability systems in most established democracies around the world. This country report builds on the recent debate, which has roundly critiqued the efficacy and effectiveness of self-regulatory mechanisms, to critically evaluate the performance of the media ombudsperson system in Namibia. It argues that self-regulation remains one of the best mechanisms to ensure press freedom and freedom of expression, but the Namibian system, like any other, has its own structural weaknesses. The country report highlights funding, lack of enforcement powers, voluntary participation, and reactive dealing with complaints as some of the teething problems.
