The Media Institude for Southern Africa-MISA Namibia and the Editors Forum of Namibia have rejected attempts by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, CRAN to regulate radio and television broadcasters through its Code of Conduct. Misa Namibia’s Director Natasha Tibinyane says the introduction of a Code of Conduct by CRAN infringes on media freedom by giving the State power to regulate the media. She says emphasis should be put on empowering the media to regulate itself under the Namibian Editors Forum and the Media Ombudsman. The Editors Forum Chairperson, Joseph Ailonga says, the Media Code of Ethics as amended last year is sufficient to regulate all media institutions. He explains that Namibia’s high-ranking on media freedom, is because of the media’s ability to regulate itself without State interference. Ailonga, who is the Radio Energy Manager, recommended that the State empower the Media Ombudsman by ensuring that all media institutions report to the office when complaints are made to it. Veteran journalist Gwen Lister was of the opinion that imposing State regulation on the media infringed on the constitutional right to freedom and the public right to freedom of speech and information. A consultation meeting with CRAN on the proposed Code of Conduct the regulator wants to introduce was held in Windhoek on Monday. In response CRANs Chief Executive Officer Festus Mbandeka said the introduction of the Code of Conduct on broadcasters is necessary as not all the broadcasters licenced by CRAN are members of the Editors Forum. He says the code is also necessary as it imposes certain regulations on licensees and protects the public. The proposed Code of Conduct dictates that the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation and commercial subscription broadcasters should have at least 45% local content over three years. It further dictates community and local commercial broadcasters to have 30% local content over three years. The code limits the amount of advertisement broadcasters are allowed per programme and discourages explicit content that could cause sectarian violence and discriminatory. Even though media stakeholders did not oppose the contents of the Code of Conduct, they are against the proposal for the state to regulate the media.