Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Inna Hengari has tabled a motion in the National Assembly calling for an urgent debate on the overwhelming presence of foreign music on local radio stations.

The motion aims to promote local music and cultural identity by addressing the dominance of foreign music over local airwaves.
 
The motion highlights a pressing economic and cultural challenge facing the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music.

The society collected N$2 million in royalties, of which N$152,000 was paid to 65 sister international societies.

This means only 1,200 out of 2,000 registered broadcasters were paid.

Hengari argues that the prevalence of foreign music diminishes Namibia's cultural distinctiveness, reducing opportunities for local stories and voices to be heard in the media. 

"Local content fosters cultural enrichment by promoting Namibian stories, traditions, and values through media by showcasing diverse local narratives. Namibia can preserve and celebrate its unique cultural identity, enriching the overall cultural fabric of society, this not only enhances national pride but also strengthens social cohesion by allowing Namibians to see themselves reflecting in the media that they consume."

Critics, however, question the feasibility of such regulations in a globalised media environment, emphasising the need to balance cultural preservation with audience preferences and freedom of artistic expression.

Hengari suggests that, with Namibia's smaller population, it should be easy to ensure that the right regulations are in place.  

"That we create a platform for our artists, the regulations in place do not just think about the broadcasting television or radio itself but also prioritise the royalties that must be earned for the artists themselves."

A pressing need to strengthen legislative and regulatory measures has also been recognised in Namibia's broadcasting sector. 

This entails broadening local content requirements to cover a wider array of broadcasters, setting precise quotas across all platforms, and adopting effective compliance monitoring systems akin to those in more established countries.