The furore that followed this incident demonstrates
the myriad of challenges facing the NBC in carrying out its mandate.
The NBC, MISA notes, find itself in this scenario because there
are no clear guidelines, policies and laws that protect the NBC
from interference be it from political or commercial interests.
Media reports on the opposition flag debacle clearly show a broadcaster
at war with itself. MISA therefore calls upon the Namibian government
to start a process of transforming the NBC into a public broadcaster.
The process of the transformation of the NBC into a public broadcaster
should take into account the fact that all citizens own the NBC
despite political, religious, social status, sexual or gender
differences.
There is an urgent need to transform the NBC into a public broadcaster
through an act of parliament that clearly states that the role
of the NBC is to serve all citizens of Namibia in their diversity.
This act of parliament should also clearly state the mandate
of the NBC. This mandate should clearly spell out that the NBC’s
reporting and programming should aim to advance the socio-economic
and political interest of all Namibians in their diversity.
The management and editorial (programming) independence of the
NBC should be granted in law and mechanisms for accountability
of the public broadcaster clearly spelt out in the same law.
MISA’s position is that the appointment of NBC Board should
also be provided in law and that these processes involve members
of the public as widely as possible.
The Board of the NBC should represent the wide sectoral interests
of all Namibians and should be depoliticised. Equally such a
board would have power to appoint senior staff on the basis of
professional competence. The appointment and accountability of
the Board should rest with a select parliamentary committee which
should review its work on an annual basis and receive reports
on how the NBC is meeting or failing to meet its public mandate.
We request that such policy changes be spearheaded by the Ministry
of Information and Communication. The mandate of the NBC, we
argue should clearly state what is expected by Namibian citizens
in a Charter that should form the basis of the functions of the
NBC. The NBC should then be judged on the basis of how it is
meeting expectations on the Charter.
The controversy that has led to the dismissal of the DG clearly
show that management, transparency and accountability systems
at the NBC are in shambles and the loser in all this are citizens
who pay for the sustenance of the NBC through license fees and
taxes. The future of the NBC and its success in striving to be
the leading communicator can only be met if its independence
is guaranteed.
The cycle of firing and appointing new senior staff under the
same unworkable structures will only create a vicious cycle that
serves no one at the end of the day.
Defamation cases involving media
In the same vein MISA expresses concern over the high number
of defamation cases that the media faces. At least four cases
(Namib Times, New Era, The Southern Times and Informante) cases
have gone against the media in the past few months. As MISA we
are concerned that the huge financial demands that the media
face will impact on the viability of the media.
Our fear is also that the use of defamation laws to seek redress
from the media sets a dangerous precedent that has the effect
of cowing the media into self censorship hence negatively impact
on the practice of journalism. While agreeing that everyone in
society has a right to approach the courts for redress and also
that the media should always stick to high professional standards
when reporting sensitive issues, we request that the powerful
in our society, be it in the public or private sector exercise
restraint and also seek mediation in addressing issues of concern.
Noting and respecting the independence of the judiciary as sacrosanct,
MISA nevertheless request that the courts show leniency and also
take into account the role that the media plays in enhancing
democratic governance by watching over other centres of power.
Media reporting is sometimes not always as easy at it appears
as story gathering and writing involves many interests and individuals
some who are not in favour of certain information getting into
the public arena.
In our view, the punitive measures imposed on the media in the
four cases in 2008 and 2009 are huge and will impact on the viability
of the media already suffering from low returns. In this regard,
MISA calls upon the Namibian National Editors Forum to speed
up the setting up of voluntary self regulatory structures that
media consumers who feel offended by media reports can resort
to. In consultation with other partners, MISA will seek ways
to enhance journalistic skills and will be available to assist
in anyway possible to create an amicable relationship between
the media and its consumers.
For any quaesations contact Kaitira Kandjii, MISA Regional Director
21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Windhoek, Namibia Tel: + 264 61 232 975, Fax:+264 61 248016
Rashweat Mukundu
Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring
MISA Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: + 264 61 232 975
Fax:+264 61 248016
Mobile: 00 264 813 675 362
E mail rashweat@misa.org, misaalerts@gmail.com
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