MPs want to lay their hands on their 15 minutes of fame

THE Namibian Broadcasting Corporation deliberately avoids broadcasting any statements made by certain Members of Parliament, Justice Deputy Minister Utoni Nujoma claimed this week.

Speaking during debate on the budget of the Information Ministry, Nujoma charged that the NBC has declared him ‘persona non grata’ – meaning he was unacceptable or unwelcome to the NBC radio and television services. He was supported by fellow Swapo MP and Deputy Minister of Labour Petrus Iilonga, who claimed that the only time NBC covered him was during the budget debate while the Government-owned newspaper, New Era, had taken a deliberate decision not to publish his statements.”During the State of the Nation address, I was sitting behind His Excellency [President Hifikepunye Pohamba] but you could only see hands.Who decided to censor us?” Iilonga asked.He said both the NBC and New Era were Government owned but were “worse than The Namibian” in covering him.”Why? I expect not to be published by The Namibian.I am their enemy number one (sic).But for NBC to show my empty chair every time I am not in, it is not right,” Iilonga said.Another example cited by Iilonga was the extensive coverage NBC television gave to this year’s Independence celebrations organised by DTA MP Phillemon Moongo in the North.”He was covered in his own house by the NBC while comrade [Utoni] Nujoma, who was one kilometre away, was not covered.Is it because Honourable Moongo gave boerewors?” he asked.He was interrupted by Congress of Democrats’ Tsudao Gurirab.”Does the Honourable Member know that the NBC’s editorial policy is to cover items that are newsworthy?” Gurirab asked Iilonga.The Deputy Minister of Labour responded by saying that he also pays for a television licence and must be covered.Health Deputy Minister Petrina Haingura also accused the NBC of selective coverage.”Some MPs have become a virus to the NBC.When they show you, you may become a virus to the NBC,” she claimed.Many criticised the use of NBC radio phone-in programmes for attacks on prominent personalities like former President Sam Nujoma.”The radio can become a weapon of mass destruction.Yes,” he said when others started laughing.Nujoma said the radio was used during the genocide in Rwanda and that the NBC could easily be abused by “unscrupulous elements”.”Some callers are sponsored by outside instruments to be on the radio,” Nujoma claimed.Iilonga admitted that he was a regular caller but said he was not phoning in during working hours.He was supported by fellow Swapo MP and Deputy Minister of Labour Petrus Iilonga, who claimed that the only time NBC covered him was during the budget debate while the Government-owned newspaper, New Era, had taken a deliberate decision not to publish his statements.”During the State of the Nation address, I was sitting behind His Excellency [President Hifikepunye Pohamba] but you could only see hands.Who decided to censor us?” Iilonga asked. He said both the NBC and New Era were Government owned but were “worse than The Namibian” in covering him.”Why? I expect not to be published by The Namibian.I am their enemy number one (sic).But for NBC to show my empty chair every time I am not in, it is not right,” Iilonga said.Another example cited by Iilonga was the extensive coverage NBC television gave to this year’s Independence celebrations organised by DTA MP Phillemon Moongo in the North.”He was covered in his own house by the NBC while comrade [Utoni] Nujoma, who was one kilometre away, was not covered.Is it because Honourable Moongo gave boerewors?” he asked.He was interrupted by Congress of Democrats’ Tsudao Gurirab.”Does the Honourable Member know that the NBC’s editorial policy is to cover items that are newsworthy?” Gurirab asked Iilonga.The Deputy Minister of Labour responded by saying that he also pays for a television licence and must be covered.Health Deputy Minister Petrina Haingura also accused the NBC of selective coverage.”Some MPs have become a virus to the NBC.When they show you, you may become a virus to the NBC,” she claimed.Many criticised the use of NBC radio phone-in programmes for attacks on prominent personalities like former President Sam Nujoma.”The radio can become a weapon of mass destruction.Yes,” he said when others started laughing.Nujoma said the radio was used during the genocide in Rwanda and that the NBC could easily be abused by “unscrupulous elements”.”Some callers are sponsored by outside instruments to be on the radio,” Nujoma claimed.Iilonga admitted that he was a regular caller but said he was not phoning in during working hours.