The information ministry has been asked to explain to parliament why New Era Publication Corporation (NEPC) suspended their managing editor Johnathan Beukes.
Last week, the state-owned newspaper suspended Beukes, allegedly without being informed of the charges against him.
Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian Maximalliant Katjimune yesterday in the National Assembly accused the government of stifling press freedom.
“It appears that there is gross interference in New Era’s editorial by the government, which is sanctioned by the minister and executive director. It is clear that the government wants to stifle, gag or tame a publicly funded newspaper, just as we are approaching a crucial election year,” Katjimune told information minister Peya Mushelenga.
The opposition member of parliament asked what led to Beukes’ abeyance, which is in place until October.
“What are the circumstances surrounding the suspension of the managing editor at New Era, and how does this act align with Namibia’s dedication to press freedom?”
STANDING UP
The Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) has confirmed that their members will stage a protest in front of the NEPC office on Friday.
“Our protest is to advocate for the reinstatement of Beukes, a member of Nampu. Beukes is currently facing what we believe to be unfair labour practices at the hands of his employer, NEPC,” said the union’s acting secretary general Jemima Beukes.
Nampu wants to “send a strong message” that they will leave no stone unturned in the quest of justice for its members.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) described Beukes’ suspension as an attack on press freedom.
“When journalists are suspended because of the views they express, it is clearly an attack on media freedom. Beukes has committed no offence, nor broken any rule. Trying to stop him from working is a violation of Namibian citizens’ right to know what is being done in their name,” said IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger in a statement yesterday.
The IFJ further called for a transparent account of the reasons for his suspension.
“The federation urges the government to safeguard the rights of journalists and respect the critical role that media play in a democratic society,” noted the statement.
THE ‘STIFLING’ GOVT
There are allegations that information minister Peya Mushelenga and executive director Audrin Mathe have played a role in the move.
The allegations include that Mathe and Mushelenga have complained about a series of reports published by the state-owned newspaper in recent times.
A source on Tuesday told The Namibian the reports are about an alleged N$26 million in daily subsistence and travel allowances (S&Ts) allocated to members of the parliament in the National Council, which is dominated by Swapo councillors.
Other reports were said to be on infighting at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), minister of higher education, technology and innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi’s S&Ts claims from institutions under her ministry and the alleged non-transparency of the Judicial Service Commission on how it recommends judges for appointment.
Therefore, Katjimune further probed whether the suspension indicates to the Office of the Judiciary that it is unquestionable.
“Does the suspension of Beukes imply that the judiciary is exempt from public scrutiny?”
The information ministry, however, yesterday denied any influence over the suspension.
“It should be noted that neither the minister nor the executive director are involved or interfere with the daily operations of the NEPC,” said current acting executive director Elizabeth Kamutuezu yesterday afternoon.
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