POLITICIANS are always accusing the media of bias, twisting of facts, selective reporting and the like, but they often fail to make themselves properly understood.

Perhaps it is because many do not feel comfortable speaking English, and if it would improve matters, parliamentary interpreters should be considered, but this would, of course, make procedures there far more cumbersome.

And at the end of the day, it is surely not asking too much to expect MPs to be at least reasonably fluent in the official language of the country that the founding fathers themselves decided upon 16 years ago! As if it was not enough that reporters had to cover some virtually incomprehensible sessions of the last Parliament, the same MPs (including Ministers) didn't know how to declare their interests and/or fill out their tax forms, and had to be given workshops to this end.

Hopefully our new intake will be given these 'lessons' up front, and the old guard have by now figured these things out.

Namibia's Parliament probably isn't that different from many other parliaments in the world, where elected representatives tend to waffle on endlessly, especially on subjects they know little about, and quite often make themselves the butt of jokes in the process.

But it would be nice to make some progress and up the standard of debates, and in so doing, make the job of the media easier.

In many cases MPs are made to sound better than they actually did in Parliament, simply because reporters try to present a palatable version to the public, and they should be grateful for this at the end of the day.

Not all MPs are garbled and incomprehensible, however.

We do have some good speakers in the ranks.

If some MPs feel there is no sense in what I say, then they only have to check the Hansard, which is supposed to be a literal record of what is said in Parliament.

Although it has been denied before, my bet is that even this record is edited! But MPs, even those who speak indistinctly and/or are not well versed in the English language, can make things easier for themselves, the media and the people who read, listen to or watch the Parliamentary debates on television.

Among other things, they can prepare their speeches in advance.

They know when they will be speaking, and they can try to jot down a few points, so that their contributions are short and sweet and to the point.

This would make it less likely for them to be misquoted.

And when they speak, they should stick to what they've decided on, for it is only really practised and confident speakers who can do so 'off the cuff' and still maintain their train of thought and succinct expression.

If none of the above works for them, they can always spend some time with some of the organisations that assist people to become competent public speakers, such as Toastmasters! Good speakers make a world of difference when they try to get their point across.

No offence meant, but it is absolutely true to say that it is nightmarish to report on the speeches of some MPs, among others the good Chief Riruako.

Most journalists would agree.

If MPs think otherwise, then the next time he's speaking they could practise doing just what journalists do and see what they make of it! Angelika Muharukua, as well as one of those MPs who often complain most about the media, Petrus Iilonga, are problematic in terms of muddled content; our Prime Minister, Nahas Angula, not because he doesn't make sense but because he tends to speak with the rapidity of an AK-47! These are just some examples.

Witty interjections and comments make for good copy and a lively, fun-filled Parliament, but at the end of the day, MPs would do well to take up the new President's slogan - 'hard work' - and prepare themselves for debates on matters of substance, rather than only rising to their feet when angry and on the defensive.

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