Editors condemn racist ad

THE Namibian Editors Forum has condemned the publication of a racist advertisement in a local bilingual weekly, Plus, on September 23.

In a statement, the provisional Chairperson of the Forum, Eberhard Hoffman, said the Forum noted “with disappointment and disgust” the blatantly anti-Semitic advertisement aimed at attacking the integrity and dignity of the late Simon Wiesenthal, a concentration camp survivor who dedicated his life to the pursuit of Nazi war criminals. “While it is shocking that there are elements in Namibian society that stoop so low and thereby endanger racial harmony, it is the task of the print and electronic media to act as responsible gate keepers”, the statement says.It reminded Namibian media practitioners of the need to adhere to the Constitution of Namibia, which prohibits discrimination and to their own journalistic code of ethics.Respectable media should not provide a platform for, or promote or condone racism and hate speech.Instead, it remained the task of the media to expose, criticise and condemn acts of racism and incitement, the statement said.”While it is shocking that there are elements in Namibian society that stoop so low and thereby endanger racial harmony, it is the task of the print and electronic media to act as responsible gate keepers”, the statement says.It reminded Namibian media practitioners of the need to adhere to the Constitution of Namibia, which prohibits discrimination and to their own journalistic code of ethics.Respectable media should not provide a platform for, or promote or condone racism and hate speech.Instead, it remained the task of the media to expose, criticise and condemn acts of racism and incitement, the statement said.

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