New media ombudsman against single internet gateway

NEW media ombudsman John Nakuta yesterday said government should discard the notion of regulating the media through a single telecoms internet gateway.

Nakuta, who starts his reign tomorrow, said this at the celebrations to mark ‘s 32nd anniversary and the launch of the paper’s e-Reader in Windhoek yesterday.

‘s e-Reader allows people to access the newspaper in the comfort of their homes or wherever they are for just N$6,50.

After congratulating for reaching this milestone, Nakuta said the idea of establishing a single telecom/single internet gateway in Namibia is potentially unconstitutional and flawed.

“In this regard, I am bracing myself to work with other concerned stakeholders to convince the government to abandon the idea,” he said.

Nakuka said such ideas are in contradiction of President Hage Geingob’s Harambee Prosperity Plan’s goal of Namibia retaining its position of having the freest press in Africa.

“As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said.

Nakuta, who lectures administrative and human rights law at the University of Namibia, said he is not a media law expert, but his new position as media ombudsman coincides with his passion for social justice.

The outgoing media ombudsman, Clement Daniels, said had played a vital role in paving the way for freedom of speech and expression, as well as that of the media by ensuring that it was included in the country’s Constitution.

He praised the founding editor of , Gwen Lister, who now serves as the executive chairperson of the Namibia Media Trust, as well as others, for their vital roles.

Although Lister praised for growing in strength with the launch of the e-Reader, she pointed out that print media will always be close to her heart.

Acting editor Christof Maletsky said has come a long way from just having 10 staff members in the days of the obsolete telefax machines to today.

Maletsky pointed out that was indeed unpopular with the ruling elite when it first started, and it has remained so because of its commitment to protect free access to information and promoting open debate.

The e-Reader, Maletsky said, is just the beginning, “as we think of more ways to broaden the scope”.

Director of ceremonies and general manager of finance and administration at , Sieggie Veii-Mujoro, said the e-Reader would be available at midnight every day.