The Agenda with Max Hamata

STAFF REPORTER



WINDHOEK

How would you summarise 2021 from a journalism perspective?

It has been a challenging year due to the ravaging implications of Covid-19 and the effect it has had on the structures within which the media operate. So, journalism has been affected gravely from all levels - news sourcing, production, distribution and printing. In the same vein, journalism or news work has shown some level of resilience, that it can survive harsh conditions to some extent. This has been 2021 for journalism.

What impact did Covid have on your work?

Covid denied us an opportunity to serve our audiences in the best way possible as it cut into our revenues and left us barely surviving. Although we were fortunate enough not to retrench any of our staff, we were faced with a myriad of financial challenges that had significant impact on our work. Hindsight of efforts to curb Covid, we are optimistic that we would emerge from these challenges soon.

Do you think Namibia has done enough this year to retain its status as Africa’s freest press?

Yes, I think so, and I think right from the top with President Hage Geingob and the way he has treated the press, there is unanimous will to maintain this status. The access to information bill which is on the cards will further cement this status in the long term.

Why are we number one in Africa but 26th in the world? What must happen to improve our global ranking?

Our global status, in my view, emanates from plurality and access to the press, which both are elements that are structural and resource-centered. Do we have enough media organisations to represent every voice? Are we able - with our current resources - to get to every part of the country in real time? Is our media diverse enough to speak to different demographics in various tribes? The answer to these questions would be no and to be able to do this, the business of the media has to be supported to allow the media to expand its scope. This would be the biggest step towards number one globally.

What’s your attitude towards the Access to Information law and what must it change when eventually promulgated?

I think any law that allows the media to better access public information to serve audiences better is welcome. This is, of course, if it does not have limiting and draconian clauses that inhibit journalists from performing their watchdog role. When the law is promulgated, we would like to see journalists provided with more protection to do their work and that any information that is of public interest and held by public institutions should not be concealed from media practitioners who have a duty to serve the nation as the fourth estate.

Is the Namibia media space congested – or is the cake enough for all players?

Media products are diverse in nature and the influx of digital media technologies allows various players to locate their own niche markets. So, in terms of content, there really is no congestion, but in terms of the resources to fund the operations of the media, there is congestion. This is because we have a small pool of advertisers every media establishment is competing for.

What must happen to improve the quality of journalism in Namibia?

The level with which we can access information is limited currently and this is one area that can help us improve the quality of journalism. The funding in the media is also limited and there needs to be more funding mechanisms that help the press to effectively carry out its role.

What was your ‘wow’ story of the year - doesn’t necessarily have to be written by yourself?

As avid and passionate journalist myself, I have seen numerous ‘wow’ stories in the year, signalling the quality of journalists that we have in the entire media space. It cannot be one, but many of them, and all I can say is thumbs up to our collective cohort of journalists who have shown up this year despite the fears associated with Covid-19.