NBC editor faces dismissal for calling NNN old

NAMIBIAN Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) investigative editor Anna Nicodemus is facing either a dismissal or final warning after being found guilty on three charges, including calling president in waiting Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah old.

The charges emanate from an interview Nicodemus had with South African news channel Newzroom Afrika last December about president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health.

She has been found guilty on charges of insubordination and disregarding cooperation or departmental rules, regulations and standard instructions.

Another charge indicates that Nicodemus’ statements were unfounded, speculative and constituted personal commentary.

She is also charged with discrimination against women following her statement on Nandi-Ndaitwah’s age and health.

This is according to a disciplinary hearing that took place on 23 January between the national broadcaster and Nicodemus.

Jaime Smith chaired the hearing.

“The accused employee has been charged with several breaches in the company code of conduct and for not following company instruction because she conducted an interview with Newzroom Africa, which the company is of the opinion she should have reported before the fact, and then comments that she made about the president which were unprofessional and unfounded,” Smith says.

Daniel Nadunya represented Nicodemus.

NOT GUILTY

Nicodemus was found not guilty of not reporting the interview to her superiors.

Nicodemus was also acquitted on a charge related to her supposed failure to serve as a role model and act professionally, as NBC did not provide sufficient evidence to support this accusation.

Smith says Nicodemus’ charges warrant a dismissal.

“Under normal circumstances, I would argue that this could warrant a dismissal, pairing with the fact that she does not see the error of her ways.

“However, due to her very long and good employment history, I would recommend a final written warning for the charge of insubordination and also recommend progressive disciplinary action,” Smith says.

She says it must be considered that Nicodemus has been with NBC for 29 years and is a value champion.

“She is part of the policy review team. She is a manager and must be beyond reproach and lead by example. It is expected from someone with such a reputation to understand and know that this is not acceptable behaviour,” she says.

However, Nicodemus argues that her remarks were based on widely available public information and that other NBC journalists had participated in similar interviews without facing disciplinary action.

Nicodemus was suspended last December after her interview.

She states that the information she provided regarding seats in parliament was correct to her knowledge and that Nandi-Neaitwah’s health status was common knowledge.

“She also stated that she is personal friends with the president-elect and that she has a lot of respect for her and at no instance did she intend for any comment to be sexist or discriminatory,” a hearing document reads.

Nicodemus says there were other employees that had interviews with Botswana radio stations and no disciplinary action was taken against them.

“She allegedly told her ‘friend’ who arranged the interview that she is doing this in her personal capacity and that she could not hear how she was introduced on air. Under cross-examination she stated that her assignment for this election was to do productions on election readiness and that she was not involved with the more political side,” the document says.

According to Nicodemus during the hearing, she was requested by Newzroom Africa to do an interview approximately 20 minutes before it was aired.

She says she has a working relationship with some of the Newzroom Africa staff and as a journalist did not think it would be wrong to reciprocate a favour from earlier with the South African elections, thus she took the interview without informing anyone.

UNION SPEAKS OUT

Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu) acting secretary general Jemima Beukes says action taken against Nicodemus should be fair.

“We are not privy to the details of NBC’s disciplinary process. However, given Anna’s 29 years of service, her commitment and dedication, and the fact that she has contributed to NBC’s reputation, any action taken against her should be fair and proportionate.”

Beukes says Nampu will stand by its members and act in their best interests.

“We encourage our members to take this experience as a lesson that while they must abide by company rules, those rules must always align with the Namibian Constitution. This includes the right to freedom of expression, independent thought, and personal opinion,” she says.

According to an official statement from the NMT Media Foundation last year, the claims Nicodemus made against the president-elect were disinformation generated by artificial intelligence.

The foundation highlighted the importance of journalistic integrity, calling on media professionals to maintain high standards of professionalism amid a surge of disinformation that clouded the recent general elections.

NMT urged all Namibian journalists to adhere to the established Code of Ethics and Conduct for Media, which aims to ensure the public has access to accurate and verified information for informed decision-making.

“The proliferation of disinformation not only misleads the public but poses a threat to our democracy and the fundamental freedoms of the media,” noted the foundation.

Nandi-Ndaitwah last year claimed she was not sick and that her health was fine.

She also blamed desperate politicians for spreading rumours about her health.

In a video by NBC, Nandi-Ndaitwah says “a Namibian citizen” claims she collapsed twice.

Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking during a Swapo celebration at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.

“What a shame! This is nothing more than the act of a desperate politician,” she said.

“Let me take this opportunity to reassure you all of my commitment to fulfilling the promises I have made during the campaign.”

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