Bouquets, brickbats for Namibian media

Sunday marks World Press Freedom, a day that annually celebrates the principles of press freedom. Commemorated on May 3, the day was set aside during a United Nations, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) seminar on ‘Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press’, held in Windhoek from April 29 to May 3, 1991. The conference gave birth to the Windhoek Declaration, a document that calls for free, independent, pluralistic media worldwide, characterising a free press as essential to democracy and as a fundamental human right. Therefore, World Press Freedom Day has also become a time when the world evaluates and reflects on press freedom around the world. UNESCO leads celebrations annually, and this year’s theme is: ‘Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age.’ The Windhoek Declaration called for a pluralistic and independent press. “By an independent press, we mean a press independent from governmental, political or economic control or from control of materials and infrastructure essential for the production and dissemination of newspapers, magazines and periodicals. “By a pluralistic press, we mean the end of monopolies of any kind and the existence of the greatest possible number of newspapers, magazines and periodicals reflecting the widest possible range of opinion within the community,” the document declares. Yesterday, the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, described the media as a committed partner in fighting crime. Ndeitunga acknowledged that at times, the press in Namibia is too critical and publishes information without verifying it. But, for the most part, the media have been fierce in educating and disseminating information. “The media have helped drive a number of our campaigns. The ‘Don’t Touch it, Report it’ campaign and some of our anti-drugs campaigns. So, we indeed have press freedom and the media are utilising it well,” he said. Women Solidarity Namibia Director Rosa Namises says there is press freedom in Namibia, but the local press lacks investigative journalism, and issues are limited to those of government. “To some extent there is a bit of self-censorship. The press is only interested in government, and what some ministers are doing; therefore there is lack of variety. There is no balance and few stories on analytical reviews of what is going on in the community,” she said. Namises also said that although Namibia has press freedom, it is not utilised fully. Human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh said while the media environment in Namibia in terms of press freedom is relatively clean; reporting in Namibia remains irresponsible, but without malicious intentions. “Press freedom is hindered by the fact that journalists lack training. Journalists are also fearful and there is self-censorship,” he said. Ya Nangoloh said journalists are fearful of the government, this is indicated when they report on the government. “Media practitioners don’t even know their rights. There is widespread self-censorship in the media,” he said. Earlier this year, Reporters without Borders ranked Namibia among the top 20 countries in its annual World Press Freedom Index. The Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index ranks the performance of 180 countries according to a range of criteria that include media pluralism and independence, respect for the safety and freedom of journalists and the legislative, institutional and infrastructural environment in which the media operates. Namibia is ranked 17th, above a number of First World countries, including the Unites States of America and the United Kingdom. Namibia is also the only African country ranked among the top 20 countries. WINDHOEK STAFF REPORTER