NBC pulls plug on ‘derogatory’ film

THE Namibian Broadcasting Corporation failed to screen a scheduled programme after the eight o’clock news bulletin on Sunday, apparently because it contained material “derogatory” to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

The locally produced documentary, ‘This Is Us’, was commissioned by the NBC. Independent producer and director of the series, Vickson Hangula, accused the national broadcaster of interfering with his freedom of speech by pulling the programme.Hangula said the cultural programme focused on the German Carnival (Wika) held annually in Windhoek and at Swakopmund.In a comedy slot at the carnival, an amateur comedian referred to Mugabe as a friend of Namibia.He joked that Mugabe was the right man to dispense advice on solving the land issue.Hangula said the NBC wanted him to re-edit the tape to remove what it described as an “offensive” joke.”I’m not happy with this; I live in a free society,” Hangula told The Namibian.NBC officials and the producer met yesterday to discuss the matter.Commissioning Editor of the NBC, Peter Denk, later said the matter had been resolved amicably.According to Denk, several technical issues had prevented the screening of the programme.Hangula said he was satisfied with the outcome.The parties will meet today to decide on the final version of the programme.The NBC screened a 2002 health documentary in the ‘This Is Us’ slot on Sunday.Independent producer and director of the series, Vickson Hangula, accused the national broadcaster of interfering with his freedom of speech by pulling the programme.Hangula said the cultural programme focused on the German Carnival (Wika) held annually in Windhoek and at Swakopmund.In a comedy slot at the carnival, an amateur comedian referred to Mugabe as a friend of Namibia.He joked that Mugabe was the right man to dispense advice on solving the land issue.Hangula said the NBC wanted him to re-edit the tape to remove what it described as an “offensive” joke.”I’m not happy with this; I live in a free society,” Hangula told The Namibian.NBC officials and the producer met yesterday to discuss the matter.Commissioning Editor of the NBC, Peter Denk, later said the matter had been resolved amicably.According to Denk, several technical issues had prevented the screening of the programme.Hangula said he was satisfied with the outcome.The parties will meet today to decide on the final version of the programme.The NBC screened a 2002 health documentary in the ‘This Is Us’ slot on Sunday.