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Alerts - Namibia

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Namibia

Newspaper faces defamation charges

The Windhoek High Court has ruled that a defamation claim against "The Namibian" can proceed.

Namibia

Ten-year-old advertising ban on "The Namibian" lifted

In a two-paragraph statement, the minister of Information and Communication Technology confirmed a recent cabinet decision that effectively ends the government-imposed ban.

Namibia

MISA condemns suspension of "Informante" newspaper journalist

Brigitte Weidlich was suspended without pay after writing a story about the termination of an agreement between the company that owns "Informante" and another company.

Namibia

Reporter fined for alleged biased reporting

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's Rundu-based reporter Wilfred Nyambe was fined N$2,000 (approx. US$295) by the Hambukushu Traditional Authority for allegedly reporting a biased story about the traditional authority.

Namibia

Football association head assaults journalist

Andreas Novotny, a freelance journalist, was punched by NFA Secretary General Barry Rukoro after he insisted on getting questions answered by the soccer official.

Namibia

"Informanté" editor resigns following threats

The newspaper's management denied allegations that they had fired Max Hamata, claiming instead that he had resigned.

Namibia

"Informanté" editor under threat for publishing article on former president's illness

Max Hamata fears for his safety following the publication of an article that reported that former president Sam Nujoma had been flown to South Africa for medical treatment.

Namibia

Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against tabloid

A police inspector had sued "Informanté" tabloid over a 2008 story entitled "Top cop accused of favouring love interests".

Namibia

Journalist assaulted for his work

Freelance journalist John Grobler's assailants included prominent businessmen with close ties to the ruling party.

Namibia

MISA urges national broadcaster to ensure equal access for all political parties

MISA is calling on the NBC to accelerate the airtime allocation process ensuring equitable access for political parties participating in the upcoming elections.

Namibia

MISA condemns justice minister's outrageous remarks against newspaper and editor

Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana recently called the editor of "The Namibian" daily newspaper a "big snake in Namibia."

Namibia

Election body implements government ban on advertising in independent newspaper

The Electoral Commission says it was following government policy when it decided not to insert election information in "The Namibian".

Namibia

Cabinet continues monitoring of Namibian Broadcasting Corporation programs

Through government pressure, the NBC had earlier this year made drastic and controversial changes to its radio phone-in programs.

Namibia

Government bans newspapers from covering culling of seals

The Namibian government banned newspapers from covering annual seal culling.

Namibia

Camera operator prevented from covering state visit

A camera operator for the independent broadcaster One Africa Television was barred by state security officials from filming a visit to Namibia by Cuban President Raul Castro.

Namibia

Communication bill adopted by National Assembly

The controversial Information and Communication Bill was adopted by the National Assembly on and will undergo legislative review by the National Council.

Namibia

Foreign journalists arrested, fined for trespassing

Namibia police arrested two foreign journalists on allegations of trespassing and working without accreditation.

Namibia

Information Communication Bill reintroduced in Parliament

(MISA/IFEX) - Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has gazetted the Information Communications Bill. Speaking in Parliament in early June 2009 when the Bill was reintroduced, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda says the Bill, "will revolutionize the ICT industry of Namibia and provide for the effective regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services through a new independent and autonomous regulatory authority for Namibia".

Namibia

Namibian Broadcasting Corporation cancels chat shows

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA-Namibia has expressed surprise at a ban on chat shows by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). In a statement on 3 March 2009, Andrew Kanime, Acting Director General of the NBC, announced that the National Chat Show programmes hosted in the morning shall cease. Members of the public used to phone in to express views on and discuss a number of issues. The government and the ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), argue that the shows are being abused to attack the party and government leaders. An arm of the ruling party, the SWAPO Elders Council, and the NBC called for a review of the chat shows in 2008.

Namibia

Director-General of Namibian Broadcasting Corporation dismissed; MISA concerned over defamation cases facing media

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 February 2009 MISA press statement:

Namibia

SWAPO supporters urge "The Namibian" to stop publishing "destructive" SMS messages

(MISA/IFEX) - Supporters of Namibia's ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) party, under the umbrella body of the SWAPO Elders Council, have criticised "The Namibian" newspaper and radio stations for what they allege to be insults and criticism levelled against the party's leaders, current President Hifikepunye Pohamba and former president Sam Nujoma. Party supporters say they want "The Namibian" to stop publishing readers' text messages and radio stations to stop airing chat shows and phone-in programmes. "The Namibian" reported on 2 February 2009 that SWAPO supporters claimed they had instructed the minister of information "to take measures to stop the dangerous radio programmes and chat shows before the situation gets out of control."

Namibia

Legislative body calls for investigation into newspaper's readers' page

(MISA/IFEX) - In a news article published in "The Namibian" newspaper on 9 December 2008, Margret Mensah, the chairperson of Namibia's Legislative body, the National Council, is reported to have called on the Ombudsman Office to investigate "The Namibian"'s sms (text message) readers' page and radio chat show programmes as to whether they are being used to demonise Namibian leaders. "The Namibian" publishes sms messages from readers on various topics in Namibia.

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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 and unusual circumstances. Major international agreements on human rights protect the right of individuals from unwarranted invasive surveillance. We therefore submit that the proposed law will infringe on the rights and civil liberties of Namibian citizens:

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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.

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.

Namibia

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:

Namibia

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 current NBC director general went on air shortly after being appointed to the office to call on listeners and phone-in callers to "act responsibly."

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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.

Namibia

MISA condemns former president's lawsuit against newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a MISA statement:

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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.

Namibia

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.

Namibia

Court protects witness's identity

(MISA/IFEX) - On 15 October 2004, the Namibia High Court at Grootfontein ordered that the identity of the third prosecution witness in the Caprivi high treason trial should not be published in the media. Judge Elton Hoff made the ruling on an application by State Advocate Taswald July for the witness's identity not to be revealed.

Namibia

Journalists attacked, equipment damaged

(MISA/IFEX) - On 30 September 2004, three employees of Democratic Media Holdings (DMH) were forced to flee in fear of bodily harm when an interview suddenly took a turn for the worse. The interviewee was well-known businessman Manfred Franz, the managing director of Nopaska Electronic (Pty) Ltd. The interview took place at the businessman's residence in Okatana, outside Oshakati.

Namibia

Media face partial ban on reporting of treason trial

(MISA/IFEX) - On 7 October 2004, the state prosecution in the Caprivi high treason trial asked the court to place a partial ban on the media's reporting of the trial. State Advocate Taswald July asked Judge Elton Hoff to order the media not to reveal the identity of the third witness the state intends to call.

Namibia

Newspaper employees threatened and arrested, vehicle confiscated

(MISA/IFEX) - On 8 November 2003, journalist Paulus Sackarias and driver Simon Haimbodi, of the Afrikaans language daily "Republikein", were threatened, assaulted and arrested by Namibian Special Field Force (SFF) members. The company vehicle was also confiscated by the SFF members.

Namibia / Germany

Newspaper sued for defamation

(MISA/IFEX) - The Buschschule Namibia, a European juvenile welfare service project, has sued "Allgemeine Zeitung", a German daily newspaper, for publishing alleged defamatory and slanderous articles.

Namibia

President verbally attacks journalist, editor and media organisations

(MISA/IFEX) - On 14 August 2003, President Sam Nujoma launched a verbal attack against Gwen Lister, editor of "The Namibian" newspaper, "The Namibian" itself and MISA. The president also instructed reporter Andreas Frai of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) not to work with MISA.

Namibia

MISA Namibia concerned over reluctance to transform Namibian Broadcasting Corporation into a public service broadcaster

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 7 August 2003 MISA Namibia press release:

Namibia

Prosecutor general drops contempt charge against newspapers

Namibia

Newspaper threatened with legal action, pressured to reveal sources

Namibia

CPJ releases special report on Namibia

Namibia

President blasts national broadcaster on programming content

Namibia

Radio station forced to reapply for broadcast licence

Namibia

Journalist assaulted

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