Misa slams NBC ‘Chat Show’ ban

THE Namibian chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) has expressed surprise at the cancellation of the ‘National Chat Show’ by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

Misa recently held what it called a successful meeting with Information Minister Joel Kaapanda where one of the issues for discussion was the role of the NBC.During that meeting Misa Namibia chairperson Sandra Williams had advised that the ‘Chat Show’ should not be removed but that it should be run more professionally.’With the upcoming elections, there is a need for citizens to speak out and raise concerns; this is a sign of a mature democracy. Although people do not agree, they can agree to disagree, and NBC must put mechanism in place which includes competent, professional moderators and clear guidelines for the programme,’ Misa said yesterday.Acting Director General of the NBC Andrew Kanime announced on Tuesday that the ‘National Chat Show’ hosted on NBC National Radio in the morning was cancelled with immediate effect.Members of the public used to phone in to discuss a number of issues on the programme.However, the Government and ruling Swapo Party argue that the shows are being abused to attack their leadership.Earlier, the Swapo Party Elders’ Council and the National Council called for the chat shows to be reviewed.Misa Namibia said it strongly opposes any suggestion of scrapping, controlling or censoring information in the public domain.’While we agree that there is a need for the programme to be professionalised, it is important to recognise that the chat shows were established to provide the citizens of the country with an avenue to express their concerns,’ Misa Namibia said.The media rights organisation said it regrets that the cancellation of the morning chat shows came after it had successful talks with the Ministry on the need to train moderators for chat shows, as well as the transformation of the NBC.’Closing down the programme should not be an option; NBC management should look at other avenues to address the concerns highlighted. Taking away the chat shows is like taking away the landmark of freedom of expression in our 19-year-old democracy, and raises questions about Namibia’s commitment to freedom of expression,’ said Misa National Director Mathew Haikali.’While the media should adhere strictly to the ethics of journalism and ensure that these are kept to the highest standards, Misa Namibia would like to repeat the call we made early last year, that citizens should show restraint in using the NBC platforms rather than NBC suppressing the programmes’.Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe described the NBC move as ‘worrisome to say the least’.’The phone-in programmes have provided accessible avenues for ordinary people to voice their views. And this has come at a time when we can least afford it: We have national elections later this year, and the public should be allowed the widest possible platforms to criticise, praise and discuss pertinent issues, so that all of us have an informed choice when casting our ballot later this year,’ he said.Tjombe said he is not convinced that the radio programmes were used inappropriately.He said running for and occupying public office went hand in hand with a risk of public criticism.’Those who do not want to run that risk, must not run for public office. We cannot stifle public debate because public office bearers cannot face the heat,’ he said. christof@namibian.com.na

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