CoD wants action on NBC ‘bias’

THE Congress of Democrats (CoD) last week moved that the National Assembly discuss what it termed biased coverage by the national broadcaster.

CoD leader Ben Ulenga told the House that it was necessary for Parliament to discuss the nature, performance, activities and practices of both the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) radio and television services, so that imbalances in its reporting could be corrected. Ulenga said it was imperative that MPs discussed the matter in the run-up to the November elections to ensure that all parties received “fair and adequate” coverage.Minister of Information and Broadcasting Nangolo Mbumba was not present in the National Assembly when Ulenga presented the motion.Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Mose Tjitendero suggested that, in the interest of objectivity, the opposition party supply a copy of reports, on tape, which it deemed biased.Opposition parties have complained on several occasions, especially in the run-up to elections, that they were receiving little or no coverage from the national broadcaster.Ulenga said it was imperative that MPs discussed the matter in the run-up to the November elections to ensure that all parties received “fair and adequate” coverage.Minister of Information and Broadcasting Nangolo Mbumba was not present in the National Assembly when Ulenga presented the motion.Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Mose Tjitendero suggested that, in the interest of objectivity, the opposition party supply a copy of reports, on tape, which it deemed biased.Opposition parties have complained on several occasions, especially in the run-up to elections, that they were receiving little or no coverage from the national broadcaster.