MPs demand more TV time

THE Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) once again dominated the annual budget debate in Parliament this year, with MPs of the ruling party demanding more coverage of ‘all of us’ attending major events.

The few opposition MPs who attended Monday night’s session used the opportunity during the two-hour debate to criticise the national broadcaster again for allegedly ‘reporting only on Swapo Party functions’ on its television channel.DTA Vice President Phillemon Moongo said the extra N$6 million to the NBC in the new budget to cover this year’s elections should be used to report on smaller political parties too.’NBC only shows one party on television and that is what I condemn. I appeal to Government to stop the Swapo monopoly on NBC,’ he said, drawing flak from Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange. Tjiriange said there was proportional representation of parties in Parliament and their coverage was along the same proportions.According to Moongo, the Omuthiya local authority election last year was tense and therefore there were ‘no free elections and the outcome was not free and fair. The atmosphere now is only to fight against (the new party) RDP, but it is a party in Namibia. Swapo is obsessed to fight RDP,’ he told the Chamber.Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila requested that the NBC extend its radio broadcasts in the San languages from Tsumkwe in the Otjozondjupa Region to the Caprivi Region, as there are many San-speaking communities living there.Deputy Finance Minister Tjekero Tweya proposed that the N$900 000 budgeted for training at the NBC should be used to train reporters in economics. ‘The NBC did not report on tax incentives in the new budget. The NBC news presenters don’t understand economic indicators presented in the television news,’ Tweya criticised. ‘Appoint journalists with economic training, when the NBC journalists interview you, their questions are so low! The NBC should inform the public on economic issues,’ Tweya demanded. Swapo backbencher Lucia Basson said she was disappointed that after 19 years some areas in Namibia were still excluded from NBC radio services or have very poor reception, like Kalkrand, Schlip and Klein Aub. Nudo MP Arnold Tjihuiko wanted to know form Information Minister Joel Kaapanda at what level the NBC took the decision to ban phone-in programmes like the Chat Show and what the real reason for that was.’After the dismissal of Bob Kandetu it was reported a Mr Kanime was appointed as acting Director General. What were the criteria to identify him, as he is from another institution (Telecom)? For how long is the acting DG allowed to act? Is there any time limit?’ Tjihuko wanted to know, but the Minister did not respond to those questions.Veterans’ Affairs Minister Tjiriange then said that ‘news slots must be reliable and punctual’.’If one misses the 19h00 television news and wants to catch up via the 22h00 news, there is only soccer to watch. This is unpredictable and unreliable! News time is news time! You never know if news will be there or not, I have never seen a television station working like that!’ Tjiriange lashed out. Information Minister Kaapanda promised to look into the matter.Deputy Agriculture Minister Isack Katali bemoaned the NBC television coverage of events, especially Parliamentary sessions. ‘I sit here next to my fellow MP, but only I am shown and this is repeated three times. What is the purpose? I thought you want to show us in the Chamber, NBC doesn’t show all of us, just here and there.’Mining and Energy Minister Erkki Nghimtina requested daily television coverage of all 13 regions.