This was announced by Government spokesperson, Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in Windhoek yesterday.

The move follows a recent congress resolution by the ruling Swapo Party.

Briefing reporters, the Ministers said Government was aware of "the uneasiness among the media fraternity about the call by the Swapo congress for the creation of a media council by Government.

"Our Government has to implement the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport, to which it is a party," she said.

The new institution is purportedly in line with a protocol on culture and information all 14 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had to adhere to, she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah gave no indication when the Media Council wold be established, but said that the media would be consulted.

"But Government has the last say in this matter, also under which Government institution it should be run or if it would be an independent body," said the Minister.

"Ever since I took over at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, I have been calling on the media to get their house in order and to get a media council or media mediator off the ground, to accommodate complaints from the public," she said.

"The argument that laws are in place to deal with media transgressions does not hold water, simply because the process of going to court is expensive, tedious and it takes too long," she added.

"Unfortunately, the media has been dragging its feet on this very important issue.

My Ministry will start working on the matter to assist the media to provide quality services to the Namibian people.

The input from the media institutions will be sought, but Government will have to finalise the process as you have let your time pass without doing what was expected," she told reporters.

Article 20 of the SADC Protocol stipulates that "State Parties shall take necessary measures to ensure the freedom and independence of the media", while Article 21, which deals with the code of ethics, says, "State Parties shall encourage the establishment or strengthening of codes of ethics by various sectors of the media through the creation of an enabling environment for the formulation of such frameworks."

Nowhere does it stipulate that a media council should be set up by governments.

Asked if the existing independent Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa), which has its headquarters in Windhoek, was not sufficient for public complaints, Nandi-Ndaitwah did not answer directly, but repeated that the "public, being the customers of the media" required an institution to launch their complaints.

"The pen is mightier than the sword and the media has the power to contribute to our nation building and socio-economic development," she said.

"I do not need to tell you how to do your job, because you are the experts when it comes to media issues.

I remind you of the nation's priorities and urge you to do your part to promote them."

In conclusion, she said: "The way media report issues can portray Namibia in a positive light, or it can scare potential investors away, it can teach the nation respect for women and the protection of its children or it can make them decide to continue with violence.

Use the power of your profession to cultivate understanding, tolerance and reconciliation among the different communities in our society.

Always be guided by objectivity, honesty and other ethical standards in your reporting of issues and events."

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