Nampu, editors call for enhanced press freedom
As the world marked World Press Freedom Day on Friday, the Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) and the Southern African Editors Forum (SAEF) expressed similar sentiments regarding the critical role of journalism in addressing the environmental crisis and pressing issues facing the region.
Commemorating the day under the theme ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis’, both organisations emphasised the indispensable role of journalism in fostering democracy, transparency and environmental awareness.
They highlighted the challenges journalists encounter in covering complex issues such as the impending oil and gas boom in Namibia and the environmental impacts of extractive industries across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Threat to independence, integrity
Nampu raised concerns about Namibian journalists’ working conditions, highlighting the absence of a registered trade union, which leaves them vulnerable to the influence of powerful conglomerates.
This vulnerability threatens journalists’ independence and integrity, particularly in the context of the burgeoning oil and gas sector, it said.
“To address this, Nampu calls for newsrooms to prioritise specialised training and resources to equip journalists with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of this industry effectively,” the union said in a statement.
Similarly, SAEF called on “governments within the SADC region to provide greater freedoms and protection for journalists reporting on environmental issues”.
It underscored the importance of press freedom in promoting transparency and accountability, particularly in scrutinising the activities of extractive industries, illegal mining, deforestation and poaching.
Watchdogs of society
SAEF further emphasised the need for governments and corporations to support training programmes focused on environmental issues to enhance journalists’ understanding and reporting accuracy.
Both Nampu and SAEF emphasised the significance of collaboration between newsrooms, industry experts, civil society organisations and governments in providing journalists with the necessary support, resources and protection to fulfil their role as “watchdogs of society”.
They underscored the importance of upholding ethical standards and continuous professional development in journalism to ensure accurate and informed reporting on environmental challenges.
The entities also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting press freedom, environmental awareness and professional development in journalism.
They called for collective action from all stakeholders to safeguard journalists’ rights and enhance their capacity to contribute to building a sustainable future for generations to come.
Commemorating the day under the theme ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis’, both organisations emphasised the indispensable role of journalism in fostering democracy, transparency and environmental awareness.
They highlighted the challenges journalists encounter in covering complex issues such as the impending oil and gas boom in Namibia and the environmental impacts of extractive industries across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Threat to independence, integrity
Nampu raised concerns about Namibian journalists’ working conditions, highlighting the absence of a registered trade union, which leaves them vulnerable to the influence of powerful conglomerates.
This vulnerability threatens journalists’ independence and integrity, particularly in the context of the burgeoning oil and gas sector, it said.
“To address this, Nampu calls for newsrooms to prioritise specialised training and resources to equip journalists with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of this industry effectively,” the union said in a statement.
Similarly, SAEF called on “governments within the SADC region to provide greater freedoms and protection for journalists reporting on environmental issues”.
It underscored the importance of press freedom in promoting transparency and accountability, particularly in scrutinising the activities of extractive industries, illegal mining, deforestation and poaching.
Watchdogs of society
SAEF further emphasised the need for governments and corporations to support training programmes focused on environmental issues to enhance journalists’ understanding and reporting accuracy.
Both Nampu and SAEF emphasised the significance of collaboration between newsrooms, industry experts, civil society organisations and governments in providing journalists with the necessary support, resources and protection to fulfil their role as “watchdogs of society”.
They underscored the importance of upholding ethical standards and continuous professional development in journalism to ensure accurate and informed reporting on environmental challenges.
The entities also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting press freedom, environmental awareness and professional development in journalism.
They called for collective action from all stakeholders to safeguard journalists’ rights and enhance their capacity to contribute to building a sustainable future for generations to come.
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Namibian Sun
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