Swapo draws fire over NBC 'order'
Swapo's audacious decision to lodge an official complaint about how the public broadcaster covered its political rally in Walvis Bay on Saturday has come under fire, with experts saying this undermines the NBC's independence and editorial policy.
While there is consensus the Swapo has the right to complain, political analyst Graham Hopwood argued that the letter from ruling party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor to NBC director-general Stanley Similo over the weekend comes across as an order.
In the letter, Nicanor expresses her unhappiness with footage of an empty pavilion during Saturday's news bulletin and tells Similo to rebroadcast the rally coverage, and this time it “must incorporate footage clearly indicating the thousands of Swapo Party members, supporters and sympathisers”. “The tone of the letter tends to reinforce the impression that the NBC is there to do the bidding of the ruling party. This is one of the reasons why the NBC is regarded as more of a state broadcaster than a public broadcaster serving a public mandate,” said Hopwood.
He added that Namibia is a signatory to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which ensures “fair and equitable access by contesting parties and candidates to state-controlled media during elections”.
Media lecturer Dr Admire Mare said the incident shows just how difficult it is for public service broadcasters to operate in a context where the government of the day expects them to do their bidding, rather than that of the public.
He added it also shows that the public broadcaster does not have independence and must rather dance to the tune of the party in charge.
“It certainly means that going forward that letter is pretty much saying the NBC must work as an extension of government, which makes it very difficult for a state broadcaster when it comes to objectivity. It also suggests that the only way you will get money is when you do their bidding,” Mare said.
The drama comes at a time when the NBC is standing cap in hand for a bailout in excess of N$300 million to fund its operations.
Editors Forum of Namibia chairperson Joseph Ailonga also said the Swapo letter is unacceptable and undermines NBC's mandate as a public broadcaster.
“It is really a big issue, as opposition parties are complaining about the mere fact that they are not getting mileage which they should get, but here you have Swapo getting mileage and complains at the same time. It us unethical. The NBC should be able to do its work how it feels best and should be able to report on any political party's rally” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) treasurer Nico Smit said Swapo must not cry foul because for many years opposition parties have been treated the same way by the NBC, to the benefit of Swapo.
Questions sent to NBC remained unanswered at the time of going to print.
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While there is consensus the Swapo has the right to complain, political analyst Graham Hopwood argued that the letter from ruling party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor to NBC director-general Stanley Similo over the weekend comes across as an order.
In the letter, Nicanor expresses her unhappiness with footage of an empty pavilion during Saturday's news bulletin and tells Similo to rebroadcast the rally coverage, and this time it “must incorporate footage clearly indicating the thousands of Swapo Party members, supporters and sympathisers”. “The tone of the letter tends to reinforce the impression that the NBC is there to do the bidding of the ruling party. This is one of the reasons why the NBC is regarded as more of a state broadcaster than a public broadcaster serving a public mandate,” said Hopwood.
He added that Namibia is a signatory to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which ensures “fair and equitable access by contesting parties and candidates to state-controlled media during elections”.
Media lecturer Dr Admire Mare said the incident shows just how difficult it is for public service broadcasters to operate in a context where the government of the day expects them to do their bidding, rather than that of the public.
He added it also shows that the public broadcaster does not have independence and must rather dance to the tune of the party in charge.
“It certainly means that going forward that letter is pretty much saying the NBC must work as an extension of government, which makes it very difficult for a state broadcaster when it comes to objectivity. It also suggests that the only way you will get money is when you do their bidding,” Mare said.
The drama comes at a time when the NBC is standing cap in hand for a bailout in excess of N$300 million to fund its operations.
Editors Forum of Namibia chairperson Joseph Ailonga also said the Swapo letter is unacceptable and undermines NBC's mandate as a public broadcaster.
“It is really a big issue, as opposition parties are complaining about the mere fact that they are not getting mileage which they should get, but here you have Swapo getting mileage and complains at the same time. It us unethical. The NBC should be able to do its work how it feels best and should be able to report on any political party's rally” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) treasurer Nico Smit said Swapo must not cry foul because for many years opposition parties have been treated the same way by the NBC, to the benefit of Swapo.
Questions sent to NBC remained unanswered at the time of going to print.
[email protected]
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