The Namibian media industry has faced criticism from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani.
He feels that journalism in Namibia is not effectively contributing to political discourse in the country.
Venaani, while addressing the media and party members in Windhoek on Thursday, stated that many journalists were inexperienced and that several media houses did not invest adequately in their journalists.
“Journalism is failing the political discourse in the country.
“Many journalists are very new, and many media houses are neither investing in their journalists nor providing adequate pay or resources.
“As a result, many crucial political issues are not being covered,” he stated, emphasising that he spoke from informed experience.
Venaani referred to the parliamentary report, stating that one hardly found journalists attending those meetings, claiming most preferred to follow proceedings from home.
“No issues are being covered; political issues are not covered, and now and then when you open a newspaper, you see a sensational story of some sort,” he charged.
He added that journalists no longer wrote reports themselves, as they now “depend on artificial intelligence to pen their articles.”
He said journalists sometimes misquoted or took statements out of context, adding that they would engage with the editors of media outlets to promote fair and accurate coverage.
PDM leaders said their rallies received minimal coverage during the regional councils and local authority elections, and urged government to raise awareness and provide financial support to media organisations so they could effectively perform their duties.
Venaani highlighted his party’s performance during the last elections, emphasising that PDM has shown “political staying power” by maintaining its stronghold and gaining another constituency.
He said the party had achieved stability, enabling it to rebuild, redirect, and expand the movement.
He said the party was addressing internal and external organisations aimed at strengthening national branches and training local and regional councillors.
Venaani cautioned his fellow members of opposition parties to proceed carefully and to prevent Swapo from regaining a two-thirds majority.
He advocated for a coalition government that would involve collaboration with ratepayers’ associations nationwide.
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