EDITORIAL: Information ping-pong

The head-spinning to and fro between Parliament spokespersons and former Windhoek mayor and muckraker Job Amupanda over the Easter weekend saw a public institution forced to provide a refreshingly quick response to allegations of government corruption.The more Amupanda pushed for answers, the quicker Parliament responded – on a long weekend.Yet this immediate action with regard to the misuse of tax payers’ hard-earned cash is not the usual way of doing business.Sadly, and not surprisingly, journalists who followed the ping-pong game between Amupanda and the National Assembly quickly faced an all too familiar road block: Enquiries could only be dealt with on Tuesday when offices reopen.While Amupanda received almost immediate official feedback, journalists, as usual, had to stand in line to get help.This highlights the long-standing frustration the media have faced too often, and for too long: Arrogant refusals and delays to answer questions.While government is always keen to celebrate Namibia’s press freedom rankings and touts transparency as a top government priority, its officials more often than not ignore journalists, or become angry when demands for transparent, detailed and quick responses are made.As demonstrated this weekend, government and public institutions can act swiftly and effectively in ensuring the right and true information reaches the public.Being transparent and open - about failures, successes and problems - boosts reputations and public standing – a fact that too many government institutions and individuals still fail to grasp, to their own detriment.

EDITORIAL: Information ping-pong

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-17

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EDITORIAL: Information ping-pong

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-17

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