South African journalist held overnight; RSF calls on information minister to withdraw charges
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders wrote to information and communications technology minister Joel Kaapanda on 5 December 2008 to call for the withdrawal of all charges against South African TV journalist Bonita Nuttall, who was arrested on 28 November for doing a report in Namibia after entering the country on a tourist visa. Nuttall was […]
New bill on communication interception infringes on free expression, says MISA
(MISA/IFEX) – The Namibian chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, (MISA Namibia), has noted with grave concern the provision for Interception of Electronic Communications in the draft Information Communication Bill. It is recognised worldwide that wiretapping and electronic surveillance is a highly intrusive form of investigation that should only be used in limited […]
Polytechnic declares its premises a “no-go” area for journalists covering student events
(MISA/IFEX) – The Namibian Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, MISA-Namibia, has come out strongly against the decision by the Polytechnic of Namibia issuing a decree that its premises are a “no-go” area for journalists covering student events. According to the article in the “New Era” of 23 July 2008, titled “Journalists Barred […]
Newspaper barred from beauty pageant in retaliation for critical coverage
(MISA/IFEX) – MISA’s Namibia chapter has noted with concern complaints by the “Informanté” newspaper that the organisers of the Miss Namibia beauty pageant have refused to grant “Informanté entry to the pageant for coverage. According to “Informanté” reporter Elvis Mboya, the organiser of the annual Miss Namibia pageant, Connie Maritz, made it “categorically clear that […]
Freedom of the Press 2007: Namibia
Freedom of the Press 2007: Namibia
National broadcaster reprimands staff members accused of censorship, issues public apology
(MISA/IFEX) – On 28 November 2007, the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) issued a public apology following an incident in which a radio presenter restricted debate on topical political developments on a live radio call-in programme. On 27 November, MISA Namibia condemned the presenter’s decision to curb discussion on the call-in radio programme, “Chat Show”, of […]
MISA condemns presenter’s decision to curb discussion of issues concerning two political parties during live radio call-in show
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a 27 November 2007 MISA press release: NBC radio presenter restricts freedom of expression On 27 November 2007, Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) radio presenter Tebs Xulu caused a public outcry when he announced that callers to the popular live radio call-in show, the Chat Show, would not be allowed to […]
National broadcaster’s planned format change to call-in radio programme “an attempt to stifle public debate”, says MISA
(MISA/IFEX) – The minister for information and broadcasting has announced that top management at the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the country’s national broadcaster, has taken the decision to change the format of the call-in programme on national radio, according to a 30 April 2007 “New Era” newspaper report. The statement comes ten months after the […]
Newspaper publishing company, editor threatened with defamation suits, damages by family over article alleging mafia connections
(MISA/IFEX) – On 25 April 2007, “The Namibian” newspaper reported that its editor, Gwen Lister, and The Free Press of Namibia, the company that owns and publishes “The Namibian”, were instructed to pay N$7 million (approximately US$1 million) to the Palazzolo family, or face legal action in the form of five defamation suits. In the […]
MISA considers media freedom at stake as national broadcasting employees strike for better working conditions
(MISA/IFEX) – On 13 April 2007, employees of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), held a peaceful demonstration to show their dissatisfaction with working conditions and empty promises of salary increases. The demonstration took place from the corner of Cullinan Street to the front of the administration building of the NBC. A letter, drafted and circulated […]
MPs criticise media as “unpatriotic”, “disrespectful” of politicians
(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 […]
MISA condemns former president’s lawsuit against newspaper
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a MISA statement: MISA speaks out on the former Namibian president’s attempt to muzzle the media The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) abhors the action taken by former head of state and President of Swapo, Sam Nujoma, who is reportedly suing The Namibian newspaper for N$5 million because, he […]
Former president and “founding father of the nation” sues local newspaper
(MISA/IFEX) – On 26 September 2006, “The Namibian” newspaper reported that former head of state and president of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), Sam Nujoma, is suing the daily for N$5 million (approx. US$650,000) because, he alleges, the newspaper implied he is corrupt. Lawyers for Nujoma claim that, by reporting on evidence […]
Photographer arrested for trying to take pictures of Hollywood celebrities
(MISA/IFEX) – On 19 May 2006, South African photographer John Liebenberg was arrested for trying to take photographs of the Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who are due to have their first baby soon. Liebenberg was arrested in the yard of a police station in the coastal town of Walvis Bay, some 400 […]
Under pressure, government lifts media ban on opening of Parliament
(MISA/IFEX) – On 13 February 2006, a day before the opening of the fourth Parliament, Namibian media institutions were informed in a press statement that only photographers of the national news agency would be allowed on the floor during the opening ceremony. The press release further requested that media practitioners utilise the services of the […]
Swapo Party Youth League calls for restriction of press freedoms
(MISA/IFEX) – The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) has called on the Namibian government to enact laws to rein in journalists who, the SPYL alleges, are abusing the freedom of the press. SPYL Secretary for Information Elijah Ngurare said on December 1, 2005 that the abuse of the freedom of the press in Namibia had […]