Nudo supports press freedom

THE National Unity Democratic Organisation of Namibia (Nudo) says the media are an essential partner in development and muzzling them will negate the clear intent of the Namibian Constitution – that of protecting fundamental rights.

Nudo Chief Whip Arnold Tjihuiko said in a statement that the decision by Swapo National Council members to examine and review the status of The Namibian and Windhoek Observer newspapers was “discriminatory” and contrary to Article 21 of the Constitution, which prohibits the objective of the motion. Swapo Chief Whip Jhonny Hakaye tabled a motion last week in which the National Council was asked to examine and review the status of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) as well as media institutions that gave the organisation coverage.”When I came across the many writings of Ya Nangoloh, mostly in the biweekly (sic) Windhoek Observer, I said to myself, this is too much uncalled for and unwarranted.Don’t we have a law in this country to regulate these, both the human rights body, the Windhoek Observer, The Namibian, and the likes?” Hakaye said.The following day, press freedom watchdog Misa Namibia issued a press statement in which it called on the NC to withdraw any part of the motion which calls for stricter laws to regulate the media.Nudo’s Tjihuiko said Namibia had established a supreme yardstick to regulate its desires and wishes – “and that yardstick is our Constitution”.”As Namibians, we should understand that we have legislated to accord fundamental freedoms to the press, and these should be protected in the same manner as we protect other similar rights and freedoms,” the Nudo MP said.”The mere fact that certain information circulating in the press may not be comfortable to some in our society is no valid premise to negate the clear intent of our Constitution to protect the fundamental rights of all Namibians.”Hakaye said The Observer was using the freedom of speech granted to it to tarnish the names and characters of political leaders while The Namibian “seems to have provided for their own parliament with this SMS line they have created”.”This only provides for hooliganism.Any person, regardless of their age, can just say what they want.And they conveniently forget that the same Government who they are insulting is the one who provided the platform for them to do this,” Hakaye claimed.Swapo Chief Whip Jhonny Hakaye tabled a motion last week in which the National Council was asked to examine and review the status of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) as well as media institutions that gave the organisation coverage.”When I came across the many writings of Ya Nangoloh, mostly in the biweekly (sic) Windhoek Observer, I said to myself, this is too much uncalled for and unwarranted.Don’t we have a law in this country to regulate these, both the human rights body, the Windhoek Observer, The Namibian, and the likes?” Hakaye said.The following day, press freedom watchdog Misa Namibia issued a press statement in which it called on the NC to withdraw any part of the motion which calls for stricter laws to regulate the media.Nudo’s Tjihuiko said Namibia had established a supreme yardstick to regulate its desires and wishes – “and that yardstick is our Constitution”.”As Namibians, we should understand that we have legislated to accord fundamental freedoms to the press, and these should be protected in the same manner as we protect other similar rights and freedoms,” the Nudo MP said.”The mere fact that certain information circulating in the press may not be comfortable to some in our society is no valid premise to negate the clear intent of our Constitution to protect the fundamental rights of all Namibians.”Hakaye said The Observer was using the freedom of speech granted to it to tarnish the names and characters of political leaders while The Namibian “seems to have provided for their own parliament with this SMS line they have created”.”This only provides for hooliganism.Any person, regardless of their age, can just say what they want.And they conveniently forget that the same Government who they are insulting is the one who provided the platform for them to do this,” Hakaye claimed.