The Namibia Media Trust (NMT) has condemned threats targeting a reporter at The Namibian, following a recent news report on urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa.
NMT executive director Zoé Titus in a statement issued on Thursday expressed concern over sustained online attacks, threats, and xenophobic abuse directed to the journalsit.
“The reporting focused on public accountability by a public official. Rather than engaging the substance or accuracy of the reporting through facts or lawful processes, the response has shifted toward personal attacks against the journalist.
“We have spoken directly with her, and she has expressed fear for her personal safety and that of her family. The scale and tone of the attacks have created an intimidating environment no journalist should face for doing lawful work,” Titus said.
The abuse, she said, does not challenge the content of the reporting but reflects a coordinated smear campaign against the reporter as an individual.
Titus said the reporter’s nationality is being weaponised to discredit journalism and divert attention from the issues raised.
She added that personal attacks, xenophobic framing, and gender intimidation undermines media freedom and places journalists at risk.
“This risk must be taken seriously. We call on minister Sankwasa, who has sworn an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and laws of Namibia, to refrain from personalising criticism of journalists, to affirm respect for media freedom, and to address any dispute with reporting through factual and lawful means, including recourse to the Office of the Media Ombudsman,” she added.
She urged newsrooms to strengthen safety protocols to protect journalists, particularly women who are disproportionately targeted.
Titus said when journalists are silenced through fear, society loses access to information and democratic accountability is weakened. Protecting journalists is a public duty.
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