Every Namibian should be worried about the ever-escalating gender-based violence (GBV), self-harm, criminal activities and all sorts of immoral practices in Namibia.
Almost every week victims of GBV are buried.
The media has a central role to play in this unstoppable phenomenon.
The media’s key role is to inform and educate the general public.
They, however, report on incidents without evaluating the impact this has on the general public.
It must be kept in mind that children also have access to the media – be it social media, newspapers, radio or television.
Social media is taking over all other media. One has to be worried about the implications of this.
The media reports on all kind of deaths in the country and provides details, which is sometimes tantamount to over-reporting.
They often report on how certain deaths took place.
Why is this necessary?
If a person’s relatives have been informed, it is enough.
The general public only needs limited information.
Where are your ethics, and morality? By over-reporting, you are telling people how to commit immoral acts.
You are educating people to continue practising such acts.
You are telling the general public that taking such action is heroic.
Have you noticed that despite your reporting on such incidents, there is no decrease in them, but rather an increase?
Parents are being threatened by their children and can no longer discipline them. They threaten to end their lives.
All that is happening because of what they learn through the media.
There is a need to limit your reporting. Death notices give the public ideas to emulate.
As much as the purpose of reporting such news is to educate the nation to be courteous and vigilant, this is instead promoting such activities.
No wonder there are so many cases of self-harm among underage children.
Take a step back and compare statistics – you may be shocked.
In most cases the media is also biased in their reporting.
One wonders how they got their information when victims refuse to comment on matters.
In most cases victims and culprits are being exposed to public judgement.
This exposure affects them psychologically and they suffer public humiliation.
Some suicides are linked to this exposure, yet you act worried about the causes of immorality in this country.
Newspapers use social media to report, and the general public is permitted to comment in any way they wish. This has an impact on the relatives of victims and alleged perpetrators, who are also reading the comments.
In conclusion, the media must apply ethics and integrity. Stop mocking fellow Namibians.
Give positive teachings and do away with negative reports.
Samuel Ndeshimona
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