Defence Of The Namibian

I WOULD like to air my view with regard the unwarrant attacks and condemnation of The Namibian newspaper by some of our prominent politicians.

I believe and am convinced that the newspaper is there to education and inform the nation at large. I don’t see anything wrong if the newspaper reports what really happens in life without distorting such information.I believe those who criticise the newspaper also buy and read The Namibian newspaper so that they can attack it.The only way to know what has been said in the newspaper is to buy and read the paper.We, the general public also learn of their attacks through the newspaper.When a press conference is called to attack and discredit the paper, I assume The Namibian newspaper is also invited in order to inform the nation of such unwarrant attacks and discredition.It is high time now that we should face the reality and give credit where it due.In my own calculation more than 55% of this nation read The Namibian newspaper and rely heavily on it for information.This includes some politicians who do not like it.We have seen them reading it in their offices, parliament etc.We must also remember that the more we discredit the paper the better it will sell and the higher profit it will make.When the government used to buy The Namibian newspaper for senior officials, I think, not so many government officials used to buy it because they relied on the few circulating around their offices to read.Today everyone buys his/her own newspaper and sits in his/her office and reads.Now the question is, do we really want to call the newspaper to order or just promote its sales.I am of the opinion that if the government does the right things the newspaper will not have much to say.Transparency is the only way forward.Shikongo Valombweleni Via e-mailI don’t see anything wrong if the newspaper reports what really happens in life without distorting such information.I believe those who criticise the newspaper also buy and read The Namibian newspaper so that they can attack it.The only way to know what has been said in the newspaper is to buy and read the paper.We, the general public also learn of their attacks through the newspaper.When a press conference is called to attack and discredit the paper, I assume The Namibian newspaper is also invited in order to inform the nation of such unwarrant attacks and discredition.It is high time now that we should face the reality and give credit where it due.In my own calculation more than 55% of this nation read The Namibian newspaper and rely heavily on it for information.This includes some politicians who do not like it.We have seen them reading it in their offices, parliament etc.We must also remember that the more we discredit the paper the better it will sell and the higher profit it will make.When the government used to buy The Namibian newspaper for senior officials, I think, not so many government officials used to buy it because they relied on the few circulating around their offices to read.Today everyone buys his/her own newspaper and sits in his/her office and reads.Now the question is, do we really want to call the newspaper to order or just promote its sales.I am of the opinion that if the government does the right things the newspaper will not have much to say.Transparency is the only way forward.Shikongo Valombweleni Via e-mail