(MISA/IFEX) - The Namibian chapter MISA strongly condemns the attacks on the media by some members of Parliament during the First Session of the Fourth Parliament at National Assembly in Windhoek on 21 February 2007.
Members of the ruling South West African People's Organisation (Swapo) party have accused the opposition and independent media of being "disrespectful" towards some Swapo leaders.
Deputy Health Minister Petrina Haingura claims that she and former President Sam Nujoma have fallen victim to hostile media, describing the situation as "unhealthy and unpatriotic".
Haingura strongly feels these are acts of political vilification and demonization of others through the media.
She also said it is one thing to exercise one's democratic right to free speech and association but quite another to transform such right into launching vituperative attacks against fellow members of the Namibian society.
Expressing the same sentiments, Lands Minister Jerry Ekandjo cited a report of a certain Jonathan Cobra in South Africa's "Mail & Guardian" newspaper. He noted that negative articles on the "Founding Father of the nation" only appear in the local "Windhoek Observer", written by the same person. He went on to mention the name of the journalist who uses that pseudonym.
According to the newspaper article, Ekandjo threatened: "He lives here - if he was born here, we can withdraw his birth (presumably citizenship) and send him back to his uncle in Holland."
The remarks were made within the debate: "The state of the nation's morality with regard to the respect of elders and the social obligation towards them by younger members of their families."
MISA-Namibia categorically states that this situation is not healthy for a growing democracy such as Namibia.
It should be understood by all Namibians that media freedom is enshrined in the Constitution under Article 21 1 (a). Further, freedom of expression is an inalienable right of every Namibian recognized by the Constitution. These two provisions emphasise the role of the media in our society to serve as the fourth estate of government and to keep a steady flow of information between the people of Namibia and the three arms of government; namely, the executive, judiciary, and legislature.
MISA-Namibia and civil society are concerned by the level of intolerance shown by some Members of Parliament towards the media.
We emphasise that the media exists to tell the story as it is, without fear or favour. That is not to say that the media does not hold any responsibility. The media should adhere strictly to the ethics of journalism and ensure that these are kept to the highest standards.
We call on the Namibian media to unite against the growing threat to press freedom in Namibia.
