Civil society speaks out on harassment of the media

THE Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) and civil society umbrella organisation Nangof yesterday spoke out against attacks on Namibian media, which they say have been gaining in intensity in recent weeks and seem to point to a well-planned campaign.

Swapo President Sam Nujoma’s suing of The Namibian and the recent suspension of New Era news editor Da’oud Vries, as well as continued verbal abuse of the media by politicians were described as “unhealthy for a growing democracy such as Namibia” at a press conference yesterday. Misa Namibia National Director Mathew Haikali said that the tendency to subject journalists and media houses to lawsuits and labour disputes were aimed more at punishing the affected parties than to address any relevant issues.”We are worried about the lack of understanding of the role of the media by the general public and even some leaders.The media exists to tell the story as it is without fear or favour,” Haikali said.He said there was a need for an access-to-information law to be passed, which would protect the media and the general public in cases of corruption and other abuse of public property.Nangof Chairperson Norman Tjombe supported calls for such legislation.”Individuals should be protected from any legal, administrative or employment-related sanctions or victimisation for releasing information on wrongdoing.Only when an access-to-information law is enacted will we have a situation where whistleblowers are protected,” Tjombe said.”Bad government needs secrecy to survive,” he said.In the case of the former State President suing The Namibian, Tjombe, also director of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), said that it was Nujoma’s constitutional right to do so.However, the question that needed answering was whether the article over which Nujoma is suing The Namibian was in the public interest, rather than who did the reporting.”We have an unfortunate situation in this country that when you’re attacked, you look at who is the attacker,” he said, pointing out that other media had reported on the same issue that The Namibian is now being sued for.Tjombe said that the LAC and Misa were currently in discussions with legislators on the need for access-to-information legislation, with the most recent meeting having taken place yesterday morning.Misa Namibia National Director Mathew Haikali said that the tendency to subject journalists and media houses to lawsuits and labour disputes were aimed more at punishing the affected parties than to address any relevant issues.”We are worried about the lack of understanding of the role of the media by the general public and even some leaders.The media exists to tell the story as it is without fear or favour,” Haikali said.He said there was a need for an access-to-information law to be passed, which would protect the media and the general public in cases of corruption and other abuse of public property.Nangof Chairperson Norman Tjombe supported calls for such legislation.”Individuals should be protected from any legal, administrative or employment-related sanctions or victimisation for releasing information on wrongdoing.Only when an access-to-information law is enacted will we have a situation where whistleblowers are protected,” Tjombe said.”Bad government needs secrecy to survive,” he said.In the case of the former State President suing The Namibian, Tjombe, also director of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), said that it was Nujoma’s constitutional right to do so.However, the question that needed answering was whether the article over which Nujoma is suing The Namibian was in the public interest, rather than who did the reporting.”We have an unfortunate situation in this country that when you’re attacked, you look at who is the attacker,” he said, pointing out that other media had reported on the same issue that The Namibian is now being sued for.Tjombe said that the LAC and Misa were currently in discussions with legislators on the need for access-to-information legislation, with the most recent meeting having taken place yesterday morning.