Misa takes issue with uranium firm

THE Media Institute of South Africa (Misa) has expressed concern about the apparent intolerance of media activities by a uranium exploration company operating in Namibia.

According Misa Namibia’s National Director, Mathew Haikali, reports that Westport Resources Mining Group threatened to sue One Africa Television if it broadcast material of a public meeting held last week, were disturbing. “We are worried about the lack of understanding of the role which the media play.Such lack of understanding is very much visible in comments made by a representative of a Westport Resources,” Haikali said.Information has it that a One Africa Television News crew were asked by representatives of the Westport Resources to leave a public information-sharing meeting in Windhoek last week.The reason they supposedly gave was that they had their own film crew following the proceedings and that the One Africa team could “sit in, but not record anything”.The One Africa crew carried on filming.The private TV station’s news editor susbsequently received a phone call from a representative of Westport warning that they would be sued if they aired the footage.One Africa used the news item, which centred on some of the concerns voiced by the public at the meeting, in their bulletin on Friday.”We call on interest groups to inform themselves on role of the media and the importance they play isfree from political and commercial interference,” Haikali said.”The media are a key weapon in the fight against poverty and corruption.Once they are silenced, the public have no access to proper information that will help them in decision-making.Ultimately, freedom will be bereft of all effectiveness if people have no access to information.””We are worried about the lack of understanding of the role which the media play.Such lack of understanding is very much visible in comments made by a representative of a Westport Resources,” Haikali said.Information has it that a One Africa Television News crew were asked by representatives of the Westport Resources to leave a public information-sharing meeting in Windhoek last week.The reason they supposedly gave was that they had their own film crew following the proceedings and that the One Africa team could “sit in, but not record anything”.The One Africa crew carried on filming.The private TV station’s news editor susbsequently received a phone call from a representative of Westport warning that they would be sued if they aired the footage.One Africa used the news item, which centred on some of the concerns voiced by the public at the meeting, in their bulletin on Friday.”We call on interest groups to inform themselves on role of the media and the importance they play isfree from political and commercial interference,” Haikali said.”The media are a key weapon in the fight against poverty and corruption.Once they are silenced, the public have no access to proper information that will help them in decision-making.Ultimately, freedom will be bereft of all effectiveness if people have no access to information.”