DTA accuses NBC of bias

THE opposition DTA of Namibia has not ruled out approaching the courts to force the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to accord equal coverage to all political parties.

Yesterday the party wrote a four-page letter to NBC Director General, Gerry Munyama, bitterly complaining about the State broadcaster’s apparent refusal to cover events organised by opposition parties. “To our dismal disappointment, your institution is busy with a clear political perpetuation of one party state in our free and democratic society,” reads one paragraph from the letter, which was presented to the media by DTA Secretary General McHenry Venaani.He charged that every time opposition parties invited the NBC to an event they were given “all sorts of excuses” about the non-availability of cameras and reporters.However, he noted, the broadcaster’s resources always seemed to be readily available for every Swapo activity.”NBC is a State institution, it should serve the interests of all Namibians,” Kaura added.Asked if the DTA would consider seeking recourse from the courts on matter, Venaani responded: “We are reaching that level where we can’t tolerate the accuses NBC is giving us… they [NBC] only promise to improve but nothing happens.”He added that the party would, as of today, lodge an official complaint with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) and international media watchdogs.According to the opposition lawmaker, the State broadcaster’s persistent bias in favour of the ruling party undermined the spirit of holding free and fair elections.Namibia’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, as well as Regional authorities polls will be held in November.While, opposition parties continue to sing unfair coverage by the NBC from the same hymn book, the ruling Swapo Party is revelling in seemingly unlimited airtime from the State broadcaster.On Monday, the NBC’s television bulletin carried three stories from Swapo rallies across the country and another one of a former DTA parliamentarian joining the ruling party, while Swapo’s presidential candidate Hifikepunye Pohamba enjoyed over six minutes of airtime.Venaani stated that his party was awaiting the airing of its events and rallies which were covered as far as the beginning of the month.The claimed that NBC TV reporters covered a DTA regional conferences in Oshakati and Gobabis on 3 and 5 August respectively but the story are yet to be run.”When we inquire about them [the stories] we are informed that the tapes are still being edited,” Venaani moaned.”To our dismal disappointment, your institution is busy with a clear political perpetuation of one party state in our free and democratic society,” reads one paragraph from the letter, which was presented to the media by DTA Secretary General McHenry Venaani.He charged that every time opposition parties invited the NBC to an event they were given “all sorts of excuses” about the non-availability of cameras and reporters.However, he noted, the broadcaster’s resources always seemed to be readily available for every Swapo activity.”NBC is a State institution, it should serve the interests of all Namibians,” Kaura added.Asked if the DTA would consider seeking recourse from the courts on matter, Venaani responded: “We are reaching that level where we can’t tolerate the accuses NBC is giving us… they [NBC] only promise to improve but nothing happens.”He added that the party would, as of today, lodge an official complaint with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) and international media watchdogs.According to the opposition lawmaker, the State broadcaster’s persistent bias in favour of the ruling party undermined the spirit of holding free and fair elections.Namibia’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, as well as Regional authorities polls will be held in November.While, opposition parties continue to sing unfair coverage by the NBC from the same hymn book, the ruling Swapo Party is revelling in seemingly unlimited airtime from the State broadcaster.On Monday, the NBC’s television bulletin carried three stories from Swapo rallies across the country and another one of a former DTA parliamentarian joining the ruling party, while Swapo’s presidential candidate Hifikepunye Pohamba enjoyed over six minutes of airtime.Venaani stated that his party was awaiting the airing of its events and rallies which were covered as far as the beginning of the month.The claimed that NBC TV reporters covered a DTA regional conferences in Oshakati and Gobabis on 3 and 5 August respectively but the story are yet to be run.”When we inquire about them [the stories] we are informed that the tapes are still being edited,” Venaani moaned.