Mushelenga accuses media of spreading lies
Amid public outcry to reinstate New Era managing editor Johnathan Beukes, information and communication technology minister Peya Mushelenga has said the media's allegations of his ministry having had a hand in the suspension are "pure lies".
Beukes was shown the door at the end of September after publishing a series of articles and an editorial questioning the transparency in appointing judges for the country's high and supreme courts.
During a Cabinet briefing yesterday, Mushelenga said despite efforts to clear the air, the media has continued to involve his ministry in Beukes’ suspension.
"There has been deliberate, calculated fabrications [in] English daily articles and editorials claiming the involvement of the ministry and the executive director in the suspension of the said editor.
“Despite a statement by the ministry setting the record straight, the daily newspaper continued with reports of what they know very well are pure lies," he said.
He reiterated that his ministry respects the corporate governance and structure of state-owned enterprises under all ministries and distanced himself from the allegations.
‘Baseless’
"[The] misplaced obsession to drag me into the New Era saga is baseless. Malicious misinformation will never substitute the truth - no matter how many times and in what form it is perpetuated,” Mushelenga fumed.
“It remains self-serving garble, lacking responsible journalism, professionalism and media ethics," he added.
According to the minister, Namibia remains a country hailed for "upholding media freedom" which is an "achievement" that the Namibian government "worked hard for and continues to ensure".
Immediate reinstatement
On Monday, several journalists protested outside New Era’s offices for its management to reverse Beukes’ suspension.
The Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) also handed over a petition demanding his immediate reinstatement.
"We urge all those who value democracy, transparency and the role of the media in our society to stand with us in this important cause. Together, we can make a difference and preserve the fundamental values that make Namibia a beacon of democracy in our region.
“We expect Johnathan Beukes to be back at his desk by Wednesday, 11 October. Failure to do so would be regarded as a serious affront to press freedom and democratic principles by President Hage Geingob," deputy secretary-general Jemima Beukes said.
The New Era editor, however, remains on suspension.
Beukes was shown the door at the end of September after publishing a series of articles and an editorial questioning the transparency in appointing judges for the country's high and supreme courts.
During a Cabinet briefing yesterday, Mushelenga said despite efforts to clear the air, the media has continued to involve his ministry in Beukes’ suspension.
"There has been deliberate, calculated fabrications [in] English daily articles and editorials claiming the involvement of the ministry and the executive director in the suspension of the said editor.
“Despite a statement by the ministry setting the record straight, the daily newspaper continued with reports of what they know very well are pure lies," he said.
He reiterated that his ministry respects the corporate governance and structure of state-owned enterprises under all ministries and distanced himself from the allegations.
‘Baseless’
"[The] misplaced obsession to drag me into the New Era saga is baseless. Malicious misinformation will never substitute the truth - no matter how many times and in what form it is perpetuated,” Mushelenga fumed.
“It remains self-serving garble, lacking responsible journalism, professionalism and media ethics," he added.
According to the minister, Namibia remains a country hailed for "upholding media freedom" which is an "achievement" that the Namibian government "worked hard for and continues to ensure".
Immediate reinstatement
On Monday, several journalists protested outside New Era’s offices for its management to reverse Beukes’ suspension.
The Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) also handed over a petition demanding his immediate reinstatement.
"We urge all those who value democracy, transparency and the role of the media in our society to stand with us in this important cause. Together, we can make a difference and preserve the fundamental values that make Namibia a beacon of democracy in our region.
“We expect Johnathan Beukes to be back at his desk by Wednesday, 11 October. Failure to do so would be regarded as a serious affront to press freedom and democratic principles by President Hage Geingob," deputy secretary-general Jemima Beukes said.
The New Era editor, however, remains on suspension.
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