Media accused of taking part in dirty campaigns against Nujoma

WINDHOEK – Swapo Party members in the Khomas Region have warned that they will take serious action if the national broadcaster, the NBC, continues to air programmes which they say promote disunity and tribalism.

Members of the Swapo Party in the Khomas Region marched from Katutura to the party’s Regional Council offices at the weekend to hand over a petition slamming the media, which it accused of smearing and tarnishing the name of former President Sam Nujoma. In a petition handed over to Khomas Regional Governor Sophia Shaningwa, the Swapo protesters condemned the private and public media, in particular the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), claiming that media institutions had been used as part of a dirty campaign to smear and tarnish the name of Nujoma at every available opportunity.They charged that the campaign had become particularly vociferous in recent weeks.The Swapo Party leader was heavily criticised by members of the public on NBC radio call-in programmes after he took issue with a committee representing former Swapo combatants.The Swapo members urged the NBC to stop reporting on the claims and demands of the war veterans, who are demanding payment from Government for their role in the liberation struggle.The protesters accused the media of abusing press freedom and called on them to stop, especially when statements bordered on the “character assassination of the true sons and daughters of the Namibian soil”.They also asked the media not publish or broadcast material which, in their view, was clearly aimed at promoting and fomenting tribalism and destabilising peace and unity in the country.State-owned media had a national responsibility to promote peace, unity and development, the protesters said.”Those who are entrusted with these institutions are strongly directed to strictly adhere to the media code of ethics,” they said.Efforts to get comment from the NBC proved fruitless.At the same time, the group challenged the so-called committee of ex-Plan combatants to come up with a Swapo movement liberation resolution, if at all there was any, on payment after Namibia achieved its independence.- Nampa, Own ReporterIn a petition handed over to Khomas Regional Governor Sophia Shaningwa, the Swapo protesters condemned the private and public media, in particular the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), claiming that media institutions had been used as part of a dirty campaign to smear and tarnish the name of Nujoma at every available opportunity.They charged that the campaign had become particularly vociferous in recent weeks.The Swapo Party leader was heavily criticised by members of the public on NBC radio call-in programmes after he took issue with a committee representing former Swapo combatants.The Swapo members urged the NBC to stop reporting on the claims and demands of the war veterans, who are demanding payment from Government for their role in the liberation struggle.The protesters accused the media of abusing press freedom and called on them to stop, especially when statements bordered on the “character assassination of the true sons and daughters of the Namibian soil”.They also asked the media not publish or broadcast material which, in their view, was clearly aimed at promoting and fomenting tribalism and destabilising peace and unity in the country.State-owned media had a national responsibility to promote peace, unity and development, the protesters said.”Those who are entrusted with these institutions are strongly directed to strictly adhere to the media code of ethics,” they said.Efforts to get comment from the NBC proved fruitless.At the same time, the group challenged the so-called committee of ex-Plan combatants to come up with a Swapo movement liberation resolution, if at all there was any, on payment after Namibia achieved its independence.- Nampa, Own Reporter